(POLITIKO) Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Thursday (Nov. 14) urged the government to raise before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) China’s decision to declare baselines around Bajo de Masinloc.
“Malinaw na malinaw na atin ito at mismong ang PCA, sa kanilang inilabas na desisyon noong 2016 na nagpawalang-bisa sa pag-angkin ng China sa West Philippine Sea, na kinikilala nila parte ng ating exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ang Bajo de Masinloc,” he pointed out.
Because of this, the lawmaker said ”the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the Solicitor General to seriously consider the possibility of bringing this matter before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague or even to the United Nations.”
“Let’s disseminate to these international bodies our new maritime law for their reference and let’s formally bring to their attention the recent action of PROC (China),” he said.
The lawmaker said “the government’s actions should extend beyond merely filing diplomatic protests and summoning Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.”
“Atin ang Bajo de Masinloc o Scarborough Shoal,” declared Estrada.