Think tank condemns illegal claims over WPS
Published Jul 17, 2023 07:26 am
An international think tank has condemned the recent "blatant disregard of the ruling and persistent violation of international law" on claims related to the West Philippine Sea.
Dindo Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute, made the statement after Beijing kept insisting that the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea, the ruling of which is based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is “illegal, null, and void."
Stratbase ADRi president Dindo Manhit during a forum held on the 7th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea (Photo courtesy of Stratbase ADRi)
“The Institute denounces all attempts by antagonistic and coercive states to thwart efforts to uphold and reinforce the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that underscores the victory of the Philippines and the peaceful resolution of disputes," Manhit said. "We condemn the blatant disregard of the ruling and persistent violation of international law, particularly in the form of gray zone operations, swarming of foreign vessels, and destroying maritime resources within the Philippine territory," he added. The think tank's president said that "maintaining a united front," particularly among like-minded states, is necessary as it "illustrates that it will not sit idly while belligerent actors infringe on the sovereignty of an ally and partner." Manhit reiterated that the award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea is final and legally binding to the parties of the proceedings. "With this landmark ruling, the Philippines stands on the right side of history," he said, a position also shared by many countries, including the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, UK, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden. On the 7th anniversary of the ruling on July 12, Stratbase ADR Institute hosted a forum commemorating Manila's victory. Envoys from the embassies of the United States, Australia, Japan, Delegation of the European Union, France, United Kingdom, and India participated in the event and delivered strong and powerful statements on the importance of respecting the Arbitral ruling and the Philippines' national sovereignty, upholding the international rules-based order, and building and strengthening alliances with like-minded countries. “The Institute welcomes the firm and continued support of like-minded partners who place high regard on the freedoms of navigation and overflight, and on economic rights, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity. As members of the global village, we acknowledge that it is the prime responsibility and obligation of states to adhere to the rules-based international order that ensures collective peace, security, stability, and prosperity,” Manhit said. “The Philippines is at the crossroads of phenomenal geopolitical and geo-economic developments that cut across various sectors. National interest must always be the priority as it rallies support from its allies, friends, and partners in achieving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” he added.
Stratbase ADRi president Dindo Manhit during a forum held on the 7th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea (Photo courtesy of Stratbase ADRi)
“The Institute denounces all attempts by antagonistic and coercive states to thwart efforts to uphold and reinforce the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that underscores the victory of the Philippines and the peaceful resolution of disputes," Manhit said. "We condemn the blatant disregard of the ruling and persistent violation of international law, particularly in the form of gray zone operations, swarming of foreign vessels, and destroying maritime resources within the Philippine territory," he added. The think tank's president said that "maintaining a united front," particularly among like-minded states, is necessary as it "illustrates that it will not sit idly while belligerent actors infringe on the sovereignty of an ally and partner." Manhit reiterated that the award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea is final and legally binding to the parties of the proceedings. "With this landmark ruling, the Philippines stands on the right side of history," he said, a position also shared by many countries, including the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, UK, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden. On the 7th anniversary of the ruling on July 12, Stratbase ADR Institute hosted a forum commemorating Manila's victory. Envoys from the embassies of the United States, Australia, Japan, Delegation of the European Union, France, United Kingdom, and India participated in the event and delivered strong and powerful statements on the importance of respecting the Arbitral ruling and the Philippines' national sovereignty, upholding the international rules-based order, and building and strengthening alliances with like-minded countries. “The Institute welcomes the firm and continued support of like-minded partners who place high regard on the freedoms of navigation and overflight, and on economic rights, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity. As members of the global village, we acknowledge that it is the prime responsibility and obligation of states to adhere to the rules-based international order that ensures collective peace, security, stability, and prosperity,” Manhit said. “The Philippines is at the crossroads of phenomenal geopolitical and geo-economic developments that cut across various sectors. National interest must always be the priority as it rallies support from its allies, friends, and partners in achieving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” he added.