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Robredo on China calling Hague ruling ‘waste paper’: We have to resist


Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday warned the Duterte administration that China will continue to disrespect Philippine sovereignty if the government doesn’t stand up to its inappropriate comments on Manila’s legal claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Robredo was responding to China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian calling the Philippines’ landmark victory before the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld its legal claims in West Philippine Sea, as “nothing more than a piece of waste paper.”

 

 

The same Hague court decision—which stemmed from a case filed by the Philippines against China—rejected China’s expansive claims and ruled that the Spratly Islands, Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and Recto (Reed) Bank are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

“While the tone is unnecessary and unfortunate, hindi na ako nagulat [I was not surprised]. Governments are expected to assert their nation’s interest even if sometimes, they have to bend logic in the process,” Robredo said.

“Pero, sana all. Sana iyong gobyerno natin, willing rin magpakita ng kaunting tapang on the issue. Habang umaatras tayo, lalo lang tayo didiinan. Pag interes ng sariling bansa natin, dapat pumalag tayo,” Robredo added.

[If only our government were also willing to show some courage on the issue. While we back down, the more they will pressure us. When it comes to our country's interests, we must resist.]

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, also described the article ruling in similar terms in a May 5 speech in which he said, “Sa totoong buhay, 'yang papel, wala 'yan... Sa usapang bugoy, sabihin ko sa'yo, ibigay mo sa akin, sabihin ko sa'yo p—ng ina papel lang 'yan. Itatapon ko 'yan sa waste basket.”

Despite this, Duterte later said that amid continued incursions by Chinese militia vessels into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, he would not pull Philippine ships from the West Philippine Sea. — BM, GMA News

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