The Philippine government will file an environmental case against China over the massive coral harvesting in the West Philippine Sea early next year, according to Justice Secretary Boying Remulla.
Remulla on Thursday met with former Supreme Court justice and former Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, international environmental law expert Antonio Oposa, and Coast Guard spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela to discuss the case against China."Kasi ang apektado naman nito hindi lang yung bansa natin, ang apektado dito is yung buong mundo. Yung sinisira nila na pinapanganakan ng isda, hindi na babalik. Eh kung diyan manggagaling ang gamot sana.
The justice secretary pointed out that there is plenty of evidence that can be used but they will gather more to build a strong case However, during the meeting there was a suggestion to use the term"Sea of Asia" instead of West Philippine Sea, which the Justice department clarifiedthat is a strategy to make the case relevant to the international community."This is in no way an indication of the Philippines diluting or weakening its territorial claims or stance," the DOJ said in a statement.
It explained the primary intention is to engage the international community"in a way that transcends territorial disputes." "The spotlight here is not on the ongoing China vs. Philippines territorial dispute," the DOJ added."Instead, we are choosing to focus on the more pressing issue at hand: the environmental degradation and destruction by China of the waters around Asia."
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Villanueva wants Chinese envoy replaced amid China's new aggressions in WPSSenate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva believes it may be time to send back Ambassador Huang Xilian to Beijing in light of China's fresh acts of aggression and replace him with a new one who would uphold international law.
Read more »
DND says moving to counter China's disinformation on WPSIn a public briefing, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said this was something they expected from Beijing.
Read more »
US lawmakers condemn China over WPS collisionFour American lawmakers yesterday condemned the China Coast Guard and maritime militia’s act of “intentionally hitting” Philippine ships in Ayungin Shoal last Sunday.
Read more »
Gibo: PHL open to WPS talks, but China’s stance, conduct may spoil such possibilityWhile the Philippines is open to talks to address the issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the lack of transparency within the Chinese government and its overextending claims that encroach into the country’s maritime territories is making the holding of such a dialogue difficult for now.
Read more »
NDCP alumni back Philippine stance vs China aggressionAlumni officials of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) rallied behind the Philippine government’s attempts to stand its ground amid China’s latest aggression against Filipino ships in Ayungin Shoal.
Read more »
China allegedly 'losing interest' in funding PH infra projectsChina is allegedly losing interest in funding Philippine infrastructure projects.
Read more »