As the Philippines marks the 5th year of its historic win against China, retired Supreme Court associate justice Francis Jardeleza underscored on Monday, July 12, the need to have a law that measures and defines the maritime features within the country’s territorial seas to enforce the Arbitral award.

Jardeleza said that the tribunal rules that the nine-dash claim of China is completely not acceptable. However, the rule also declared that there are no islands in the Spratlys Island but only composed of “rocks.”

“It ruleed that the Spratlys Island is composed of rocks meaning all the features in the Spratlys Island or generally in the South China Sea is composed of rocks. The technical meaning of rocks is none of the features can claim a 200 nautical miles,” Jardeleza said in an interview over CNN Philippines’ the Source on Monday.

Jardeleza, along with international law consultant Melissa Loja and professor Romel Bagares, drafted a proposed measure to amend the country’s baselines law to identify by name and coordinates at least 100 features being claimed and occupied in the West Philippine Sea.

The proposed measure also adopts normal baselines around each feature that qualifies as a high-tide elevation and reiterates continuing sovereignty rights over these features.

READ MORE: New PH baselines law most inexpensive, effective means in enforcing Arbitral award – Jardeleza

The former Supreme Court associate justice explained that there is a need to determine the “meets and bounds” of the country’s territorial sea as well as naming the island features particularly in the tension-filled areas.

“In simple terms all that they complain if they are rocks is a 15th territorial mile sea. If there are in fact submerge they cannot claim any territorial sea, so in the very simple terms there is a need to determined the meets and bounds or the measures (sukat) ng territorial sea of the features named as islands,” he said.

Jardeleza said it is important to clarify by means of law that the country is complying to the international law and the Arbitral award.

“Under principles of international law, it does not matter who comes in by feature, it doesn’t matter who comes in by force you have to come in legally you have to proof that we are there in some of its features so it is important we clarify by means of a law, we are complying with the international law and we are complying with the award which we won,” he added.

Jardeleza served as the Solicitor General during the Aquino administration that challenged China’s excessive claims over the disputed territory.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a decision in favor of the Philippines. China, however, has ignored the ruling and insisted on its historic claims to the territory.

Last June 10, President Duterte expressed willingness to look into the proposed amendments to the country’s baselines law that supposedly aim to strengthen the nation’s claim to the West Philippine Sea.

READ MORE: Duterte orders study on proposed amendments to PH baselines law