The United Nations Arbitral Tribunal ruled on Thursday that it has jurisdiction to hear the case filed by the Philippines against China over the disputed areas in the South China Sea.
In its claim, the Philippines asked the arbitral tribunal to rule on three basic issues:
- The validity of China’s nine-dash lines
- Low tide elevations where China has built permanent structures should be declared as forming part of the Philippine Continental shelf
- That the waters outside the 12 nautical miles surrounding the Panatag Island (Scarbourough shoal) should be declared as part of the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone
Press Secretary Sonny Coloma said, “We welcome the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal on jurisdiction, allowing the Philippines to present its claim on the merits.”
Read the tribunal’s decision:
UN Arbitral Court Ruling Favors PH (Decision)
Read the tribunal’s press release:
UN Arbitral Court Ruling Favors PH (Press Release) by VERA Files
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