PH blasts China at UNGA over arbitral ruling rejection, steps up Security Council bid

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK — The Philippines lambasted China at the United Nations General Assembly over Beijing’s continued rejection of the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which affirmed Manila’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.

During the 80th UNGA General Debate, China’s representative reiterated Beijing’s position that the UNCLOS arbitral tribunal had “no jurisdiction” over territorial and maritime delimitation disputes between China and the Philippines.

“China does not accept or recognize the so-called South China Sea arbitration case. Our sole purpose is precisely to approach the international rule of law in the maritime domain and maintain a fair and reasonable international maritime order.

China carries out peaceful and constructive activities on its own territories. This is a just right of a sovereign country,” the Chinese envoy said.

China, which regularly accuses the Philippines of "dangerous" maneuvers in the sea, has attacked Philippine vessels and crew over the years, including an incident last year involving axe-wielding Chinese coastguardsmen who damaged Philippine equipment and left a Filipino navy man without a finger; and an attempt in August to chase down a Philippine vessel that ended with two Chinese ships colliding into each other.

At the UNGA, China went further by accusing the Philippines of being the “biggest destroyer of the South China Sea ecosystem,” referring to the rusting BRP Sierra Madre—a grounded Philippine Navy ship that serves as a military outpost on Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal). The Philippines has refuted China's claims, saying that an independent report found that China was responsible for 75% of the environmental damage caused by island-building activities in the South China Sea.

In response, Philippine Mission to the UN Fourth Committee expert Ambassador Noel Novicio strongly defended Manila’s stance during the General Debate, emphasizing the country’s adherence to international law despite China’s illegal incursions and harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

“It is in line with the 1982 UNCLOS. This evening, our Secretary of Foreign Affairs emphasized that to maritime nations such as the Philippines, international law—particularly the 1982 UNCLOS—is fundamental to our future.

While our government vessels and fisherfolk continue to be harassed within our own waters, and as we remain on the receiving end of illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous actions in the South China Sea, we abide by UNCLOS, as reinforced by the binding 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea,” Novicio told delegates.

Novicio also called on China to honor its international commitments.

“We are also committed to diplomacy and to the peaceful means of settling international disputes under the Charter of the United Nations, as reinforced by the 1982 Manila Declaration.

Again, we strongly urge China to respect and implement the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea,” he said.

Security Council

Amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines is intensifying its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Securing this seat would give Manila a stronger global platform to denounce China’s aggressive actions, rally international support for the rule of law, and shape the global narrative on maritime security and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. — BM, GMA Integrated News