Lawmaker seeks support for proposal to bring WPS row to UN

TRADITIONAL FISHING GROUND In this November 2016 photo, a Filipino fisherman catches fish as the China Coast Guard patrols Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in West Philippine Sea, a traditional fishing ground for Zambales and Pangasinan fishers. —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday called on Senate to support a proposal seeking to raise before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) China’s aggressive behavior in West Philippine Sea.

The lawmaker is referring to the recommendation of retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

For this reason, she filed a Senate resolution that urged Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to sponsor a separate resolution.

The proposed resolution will entail the DFA asking UNGA to compel China to stop harassing Philippine vessels that are within Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Hontiveros also renewed the call for members of United Nations, especially China, to recognize and respect the historic arbitral decision.

She is pointing to the ruling of Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands on July 12, 2016 that invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over South China Sea.

“The least all of us in government can do is to exhaust all legal, political, and diplomatic means to safeguard our sovereignty,” she said.

“The UNGA vote is one way to do it, and I hope we can truly unite and rally behind this cause,” she added.

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