29 October 2014 – “The Philippines maintains that the rule of law must be the firm foundation for the settlement of disputes and that for countries which are not as strong as others, international law is the great equalizer,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Charles C. Jose echoed the words of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario during the Kapihan ng Bayan sa UP yesterday, October 28, at the Asian Center in UP Diliman.

The DFA Spokesperson talked about the core issues involved in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea dispute and the steps being undertaken by the Philippine Government to “defend what is legitimately ours. 

“If we do not challenge China’s nine-dash line claim, a maritime claim that has no basis under international law, and do not stop China from forcibly changing the status quo in the South China Sea, we would lose as much as 80% of our legitimate maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which include the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf,” Assistant Secretary Jose emphasized.

During the open forum that followed his presentation, the DFA Spokesperson answered questions on the arbitration case which the Philippines filed against China, ASEAN’s support for Philippine initiatives and the role of the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in enhancing national security.

This edition of the Kapihan entitled “Spratlys: Law of the Sea or Law of the Mighty?” drew an audience composed of students, faculty members, and UP alumni. It was a follow-up to the lecture of Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, “Historical Truth and Lies: Scarborough Shoal in Ancient Maps,” which was held last October 23 at the Asian Center.

Kapihan ng Bayan sa UP is a public service project of the UP Alumni Association that aims to serve as a regular forum for intelligent and constructive discussion of issues relevant to the our development as a nation. END