Philippines to sue China in the International Court once again

Manila : Philippines has indicated that it will sue China in the International Court, the destruction and the severe harm they have caused to the marine resources of Philippines part of the South China Sea waters. The Philippines Supreme Court has asked the government of President Rodrigo Duterte to file a new petition against China at the International Court at Hague.

In the meanwhile, China has increased its military activities at the South China Sea after the tribunal ruling of the International Arbitration Court at Hague about a month ago.

The Supreme Court of Philippines has severely criticized the activities of China within the ‘West Philippines’ territory in the South China Sea. China has constructed seven artificial islands in the vicinity of Spratly and Scarborough islands within this maritime territorial waters of Philippines.

In order to construct the islands, China carried out extensive excavations within the Philippines maritime territory. The Supreme Court has criticized that the excavations were done in the territory that rightfully belongs to Philippines. At the same time, the Supreme Court has accused China of causing harm and destruction of the endangered species of marine life by sending the fishing boats in the Scarborough Shoal. Keeping in mind the disruption of normal life within this area, Justice Antonio Carpio of the Supreme Court of Philippines has asked the government of Philippines to submit a petition in the International Court to sue China once again.

Earlier, China was criticized in a US report, as well,for the said excavations. It was clearly stated in the report that the excavations and the construction activity carried out by China in the South China Sea, may cause harm to its mineral resources. At that time China, defending its construction activity, had claimed that no harm will be caused to the eco-system during the excavation and the construction activity. China also claimed that the harm caused to the coral reefs is almost nil. However, the Philippine Supreme Court has refuted the claims made by China and ordered the President of Philippine to take a strict stand.

A 5000-page petition was filed by Philippine at the International Court of Justice two years ago against China over the rights of the disputed territory of South China Sea. While giving the ruling on the petition about a month ago, the International Court at Hague had rebuked China that it did not have exclusive rights over the maritime territory. But China, saying that the verdict of the International Court is not acceptable to it, has even refused to accept the copy of the ruling.

Also, in the past three weeks, China has increased its activity in the South China Sea territory by sending its patrol boats and destroyer ships in the area. Further, it had asked Philippines also, to ignore the tribunal rulings of International Court of Justice and to come to the table for negotiations. But at the same time, China refuses to change its position vis-à-vis the South China Sea. Therefore, Philippines, with the solid backing of the US, has taken a tough stand against China.