Lorenzana to China: Comply with arbitration ruling, abide by UNCLOS

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday called on China to comply with the arbitration ruling and international laws as regards its massive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

In a statement, Lorenzana said he strongly agrees with the international community that there should be a rules-based order in the resource-rich region.

Earlier, the United States deemed Beijing's actions in the South China Sea as illegal. The country also vowed to oppose China's aggressive actions and ensure freedom of navigation in the area.

"We urge 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) to which it is a signatory," Lorenzana said.

"It is in the best interest of regional stability that China heed the call of the community of nations to follow international law and honor existing international agreements," he added.

Lorenzana said he would continue to push for the finalization of a substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to settle disputes and prevent the escalation of tensions in the region.

China has refused to heed the arbitral ruling.

Earlier at a press briefing in Malacañang, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippines will continue its friendly ties with China even after Beijing maintained its decision not to comply with the 2016 arbitration ruling that nullified its claim to nearly the entire South China Sea.

"We will agree to disagree on the arbitral award and we will proceed with our friendly relations," he said, citing economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.

"They have been consistent in their position and so have we been."

US stands with allies

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said "America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law."

Pompeo's remark came after the 4th anniversary of the Philippines' legal victory against China where an international tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands nullified Beijing's massive sea claim in the South China Sea.

"We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them," Pompeo had said.

In response, Beijing hit back at the US, claiming that the latter's accusation was "unjustified' and a "bid to sabotage regional peace." — RSJ, GMA News