US “alignment” with the UNCLOS Award also means that the US is siding with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei over their maritime rights in the South China Sea in accordance with UNCLOS. Like the Philippines, these coastal states in the South China Sea primarily rely on UNCLOS in defending their maritime rights against China’s preposterous nine-dash line claim. The invocation of the UNCLOS Award, however, is not enough. Given the consolidating support of the UNCLOS Award not only by the South China Sea countries but also by states which follow UNCLOS, it makes abundant sense for our Philippine government to act now. It is also important to make Chinese officials criminally and monetarily accountable for their unforgivable and massive destruction of the marine environment in the South China Sea.

Source: Philippine Star December 22, 2020 10:30 UTC