Bill eyed to implement arbitral ruling on West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is hoping to pass by next month the new maritime zone law that will help implement the 2016 arbitral tribunal adjudicating the Philippines’ case against China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Sen. Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones, said the new law could help President Marcos handle the pressing and evolving challenges in the WPS.

He emphasized that the law would clarify the boundaries in the WPS, along with the rights of Filipinos and security forces, and the boundaries of those who pass through the area.

“The new law will be in compliance with the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and it will implement the 2016 arbitral ruling. China says it can’t be implemented. With the new law, we will be implementing the arbitral ruling,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday.

“That law, once passed, will be submitted to the United Nations. That law will be recognized by all state parties of the UNCLOS… It will solidify our claim than nothing at all,” he added.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro yesterday said that not one country in the world believes in China’s claims that it is the Philippines that is stirring up trouble in the WPS.