Press Release
October 30, 2015

Statement of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on the Decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to hear the Philippines' case on the West Philippine Sea dispute

I welcome the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to assume jurisdiction over the Philippines' inter-state arbitration case against China regarding our maritime jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea and China's obligations under international law to respect the same.

The ruling is a crucial positive step in our efforts to protect our sovereignty. We will now be able to present before the Permanent Court of Arbitration the merits of our claims over areas of the West Philippine Sea disputed by China.

The Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or the UNCLOS, with the firm hope that through international law, peace and justice will prevail.

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