Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 20, 2022.
AFP / Angela Weiss
MANILA, Philippines — A House resolution is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to push for a measure before the United Nations General Assembly calling on China to respect the 2016 arbitral ruling that struck down its sweeping claims over the South China Sea.
Seventeen lawmakers filed House Resolution 192 on Wednesday, August 27, seeking stronger government action to defend the West Philippine Sea and demanding that China stop its “hostile and aggressive acts” in Philippine waters.
The resolution was co-authored by members of the Liberal Party, Akbayan Party-list, and both the majority and minority blocs.
Resolutions adopted by the UNGA are nonbinding but serve as formal recommendations or opinion statements.
“Kaysa naman po lumala nang lumala para makakuha po kami ng mas maraming suporta from the international community, we know many countries are with us in this fight because the international law is with us,” Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list) said. (Rather than letting the situation worsen to gain more support, we know many countries are already on our side because international law supports us.)
Chinese activity in disputed waters
The resolution comes amid renewed Chinese activity in Philippine waters. The Armed Forces of the Philippines recently reported increased Chinese presence around Ayungin Shoal, with roughly 20 vessels spotted over the weekend. Ships were seen closing in on the BRP Sierra Madre, Manila’s outpost in the area.
Monitored activities included water cannon maneuvers, mounted weapons and aerial surveillance by Chinese boats, aircraft and drones. Earlier in August, a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with another warship while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near Scarborough Shoal.
China has frequently intruded into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone with coast guard, research and militia ships, reportedly harassing Philippine fishermen and vessels.
Arbitral ruling and ICC call
The 2016 Hague arbitral ruling rejected China’s nine-dash line claims, saying they have no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The case was filed by the Philippines in 2013.
The resolution also notes previous discussions on filing a UNGA measure over the maritime dispute.
Rep. Chel Diokno (Akbayan Party-list) said the dispute gives a strong reason for the Philippines to rejoin the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
“So, panawagan din sana natin sa ating executive department, bumalik na tayo sa ICC,” he said. (So, it’s also our call for our executive department to return to the ICC.)
Diokno said ICC membership would allow the country to pursue crimes of aggression committed by other states within Philippine territory.
Next steps
De Lima expressed hope the Senate would follow suit.
“We hope our counterparts in the Senate will do the same para i-urge, pakiusapan ang gobyerno, especially the Department of Foreign Affairs na gawin na po yan yung paghain ng resolution na ‘yan,” she said. (We hope our counterparts in the Senate will also urge the government, especially the Department of Foreign Affairs, to file that resolution.)
Marcos is set to visit Cambodia and attend the UNGA on September 8.