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Nine-dashed claim of china is baseless under rules of International laws, as specially based on term and conditions of UNCLOS.
Nine-dash line is pre-UNCLOS. Hence it cannot be baseless under UNCLOS.
Vietnam's occupation, on the other, is against international law.
Philippines in full force on 1st day at The Hague
July 08, 2015
(UPDATED) The Philippine government publishes behind-the-scenes photos of the first day of the historic hearing about the South China Sea
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TEAM PHILIPPINES. The Philippine team at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, before the start of the oral arguments in connection with the arbitration case against China. The country's delegation includes Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas, Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr, Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Menardo Guevarra, Consul General Henry Bensurto, and legal counsels led by Paul Reichler of FoleyHoag. Photo courtesy of DFA
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Philippines came out in full force on the first day of its oral hearings at The Hague, the Netherlands, over its historic case against China over the South China Sea.
On Tuesday, July 7, the Philippines argued that the arbitral tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, based in The Hague, has the right to hear the Philippines' case. (READ: Philippines vows to smash China's strongest argument)
Eventually, if the tribunal decides it has jurisdiction, the country can proceed to invalidate China's expansive claim over virtually the entire South China Sea. (READ: PH vs China at The Hague: '80% of fish' at stake)
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, who was among the Philippine officials at The Hague, said Solicitor General Florin Hilbay introduced the Philippines' case during Tuesday's hearing. Hilbay also presented the order of speakers.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, for his part, "made an impassioned plea for the tribunal to recognize its jurisdiction." Del Rosario cited the importance of the case "not just to our country but to the entire world, owing to its impact on the application of the rule of law in maritime disputes."
The Philippines' chief counsel, Paul Reichler, and Professor Philippe Sands later argued why the tribunal has the right to hear the case.
This first round of arguments is set to continue Wednesday.
Behind-the-scenes photos
Images published by the Philippine government show a powerhouse team defending the Philippines.
A photo released by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs showed an 18-member Philippine delegation at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
The photo includes Hilbay and Reichler, an internationally renowned lawyer.
On Tuesday, Valte tweeted other photos showing the Philippines' last-minute preparations.
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Philippine Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr earlier told journalists that Manila is "following its position of seeking a rules-based, diplomatic and peaceful solution."
But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China opposed the arbitration.
"China has on many occasions expounded its position by neither accepting nor participating in the arbitrary procedure unilaterally initiated by the Philippines in breach of the agreement repeatedly confirmed with China as well as the Philippines," she said.
"China opposes any moves by the Philippines to initiate and push forward the arbitral proceedings," Hua said.
Still, in an interview with Rappler, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio of the Philippine Supreme Court said China would be forced "one way or another" to comply with the tribunal's ruling. He expects the ruling to favor the Philippines. – With reports from Agence France-Presse
Philippines in full force on 1st day at The Hague
Vietnam conned the Pinoy to do this but you guys are not doing itI support the Philippines but honestly it won't do much. China sits in the UN Security Council and holds Veto power over regional issue on the Asia Pacific. China will just ignore or reject the tribunal case.
I know voilence isn't the answer but what you need right now is military force and strategic allies like what Vietnam is doing. PRC will not take you seriously on your sovereignty claim without a strong military. Action speaks louder then words.
A country that has no ability to fend for itself crying about its case at a court that has no ability to enforce its rulings. Is this potentially the greatest real life comedy act in our generation?
Vietnam conned the Pinoy to do this but you guys are not doing it
That's the second time they fell for your ruse. The other time cost them an island.
A country that has no ability to fend for itself crying about its case at a court that has no ability to enforce its rulings. Is this potentially the greatest real life comedy act in our generation?
There's something that needs to be remembered at all times:
You cannot argue with bigots because prejudice is not based on logic.
There is no reason to argue with the Philippines because their claim is not based on logic.
Meh, I consider Greece's vote a greater comedy just this year alone.
Says the a holes claiming the whole freaking sea
Funny you people are not so doing well yourselves
Vietnam conned the Pinoy to do this but you guys are not doing it
That's the second time they fell for your ruse. The other time cost them an island.