MANILA, July 12 (PNA) — The Philippines welcomed the decision of the United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal declaring that China’s South China Sea claim based on historic rights has no basis in international law.
“The Philippines welcomes the issuance today, 12 July 2016, of the Award by the Arbitral Tribunal constituted by the Permanent Court of Arbitration under Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the arbitration proceedings initiated by the Philippines with regard to the South China Sea,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said in a statement following the release of the decision.
He said “our experts are studying the Award with the care and thoroughness that this significant arbitral outcome deserves. We call on all those concerned to exercise restraint and sobriety.”
Yasay said the Philippines strongly affirms its respect for the milestone decision as an important contribution to ongoing efforts in addressing disputes in the South China Sea.
He added that the decision upholds international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS. “The Philippines reiterates its abiding commitment to efforts to pursue the peaceful resolution and management of disputes with a view to promoting and enhancing peace and stability in the region,” he said.
The UN Tribunal issued its Award Tuesday after several months of hearings and submission of documents.