Palace: No Change in PHL’s Position on Arbitration Case Vs China

The Palace said Thursday the country remains steadfast in pursuing the arbitration case it has filed against China at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

“Linawin lang natin. Walang pahayag o patakaran ng pagbabago ng ating posisyon hinggil doon sa arbitration na nakahain ngayon sa International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea. Walang pagbabago doon sa posisyon natin hinggil diyan,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing in Malacañang.

Secretary Coloma was reacting to reports that the Philippines is willing to withdraw its arbitration case against China once there is a legally binding Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea.

“Sa harap ng mga hamon na umusbong doon sa mga conflicting maritime entitlement claims, patuloy pa rin ang paninindigan ng pamahalaan na kinakailangang magkaroon ng legally binding Code of Conduct na atin namang pinu-pursue sa larangan ng ASEAN,” he added.

Meanwhile, regarding China’s demand for the unconditional release of the nine Chinese fishermen convicted by a Philippine court of poaching in the West Philippine Sea, Coloma said that according to the Department of Justice, the fishermen have already served their prison terms for the offense of poaching.

“For the offense pertaining to possession of endangered species, the court imposed a penalty of payment of fines. Upon payment of the fines, they are deemed to have served the penalty fully, and there is no further impediment for them to leave the country,” he said.

The Chinese fishermen were arrested on May 6 after authorities found more than 350 live and dead endangered giant sea turtles in their possession.

The Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court recently convicted the fishermen and ordered them to each pay a fine of US$100,000 (P4.4 million) for poaching, plus US$2,666 (P120,000) each for illegally taking wildlife. PND (ag)

Image Credit: www.philstar.com