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Duterte thanks Australia for backing Philippines’ arbitral ruling victory


President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday thanked Australia for supporting the Philippines’ victory at an international tribunal that invalidated China’s claims over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea.

“I thank you for your kind words on my statement at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on this matter,” President Duterte told Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the ongoing ASEAN Summit.

“Your Government’s formal manifestation before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf reinforces our efforts to counter claims and assertive actions that contradict international law, particularly UNCLOS,” he added.

“The growing chorus of nations affirming and defending what is right strengthens the legal order over our seas and oceans.”

In July 2016, three years after the Philippines filed its case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the international tribunal ruled in its favor, invalidating Beijing’s massive claims in the South China Sea.

"The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’," the ruling stated.

The virtual summit, which concludes on Sunday, includes summits between ASEAN members and dialogue partners, including China, Japan, South Korea and India, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

In a separate statement issued by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte also underscored that ASEAN member-states and Australia must address extreme poverty, which has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Part of the collective efforts is to accelerate each nation’s and the region's socio-economic recovery,” Roque said, quoting the President.

Duterte also cited the ASEAN-Australian, New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. 

“While he acknowledged that the pandemic has changed the way countries do business, science, innovation and technology can provide direction for economies to recover; thus, there is a need to intensify cooperation in this area,” Roque said.

The President also asked his counterparts to prepare the region for future pandemics by building the capacity of the health system through the ASEAN-Australia Health Security Partnership, he said. — BM, GMA News

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