The government must show immense grit and muscle to stand up to China's aggressive acts and reiterate Philippine claim over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Senator Grace Poe on Friday, Nov. 19 said.
‘’The situation demands that we firmly act and assert our sovereign rights in adherence to international laws amid such destabilizing action,’’ Poe said on the water-cannoning by Chinese Coast Guard on two boats loaded with supplies for Philippine troops in the Ayungin Shoal last Tuesday.
Poe stressed that the WPS, including Ayungin Shoal, belongs to the Filipino people.
China has no jurisdiction over these waters under our exclusive economic zone, and has no right to harass or block our boats delivering supplies to our forces, she said.
in 2016, the Philippines won its territorial claim over the WPS in a ruling by the United Nations Arbitral Court which rejected China’s historical claim over most parts of the South China Sea.
China, however, refuses to honor the ruling.