 Philippine Defense Chief Delfin Lorenzana (Photo: Rappler) |
In a statement issued Tuesday, he urged China to comply with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling, and abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). Lorenzana agreed with the US Department of State in a call for rule-based resolution of maritime dispute to maintain regional and international order. He expressed concerns over China’s military drills in the South China Sea, saying the Philippines is finalizing a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to prevent tensions from escalating.
Former Foreign Minister Del Rosario said the Philippines should present the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling that rejected China’s 9-dash line to the 75th UN General Assembly in September to seek multilateral support.
Spokesman for Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry, Teuku Faizasyah, said any support for Indonesian rights in Natuna waters is "normal”. Indonesia sent two letters to the UN in May and June to confirm its stance on the South China Sea issue, saying China’s 9-dash line is groundless and violates the 1982 UNCLOS. China’s unilateral sovereignty claim in the South China Sea is illegal and has never been recognized by international law.