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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos government plan to sue China a 'positive development', says House leader 

Marcos government plan to sue China a 'positive development', says House leader 

Published May 22, 2024 02:19 am

At A Glance

  • House Assistant Majority Leader Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon called the Marcos government's plan to file new cases against China over over its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a "positive development". 

20240508_095113.jpgAko Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



House Assistant Majority Leader Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon called the Marcos government’s plan to file new cases against China over over its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a "positive development". 

In a press conference in the House of Representatives, Bongalon said: “I guess we are already tired in the diplomatic approach asking China to stop this and stop that." 

"So, I guess this is a positive development on the part of the administration to collect pieces of evidence so that we can file a case against China,” said the lawyer-legislator. 

Bongalon was reacting to reports quoting the National Security Council (NSC) that the Philippines has started collecting evidence in filing new cases against China over its illegal actions in the WPS. 

According to the NSC, the evidence gathered will be forwarded to the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for the country’s next legal action against China.  

“Ito po ay pagpapahayag na hindi po tayo papayag sa anuman pong pambu-bully na ginagawa po ng isang mighty country katulad naman po ng Tsina," Bongalon said. 

(This is to express that we won't tolerate any bullying coming from a mighty country like China.) 

"So, I guess this is a positive development on the administration wherein they’re leading our country in making a more credible and more decisive step in asserting our rights in the WPS,” added the "Young Guns" bloc member. 

In 2013, the Philippines initiated arbitral proceedings against China, specifically over its expansive nine-dash line claim the South China Sea. 

Three years later, the Hague-based arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China’s nine-dash line. Beijing has never acknowledged the ruling.

Related Tags

Department of Justice Jil Bongalon ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL West Philippine Sea
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