Press Release
PR-114-2016

Statement of Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. on the Ruling of the Permanent Court of
Arbitration (PCA) on the Philippines vs. China case

(Riyadh, 14 July 2016) - The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh informs the Filipino community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all other concerned parties of the statement by Hon. Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) issued its final ruling in favor of the Philippines on the arbitration case lodged by the Philippines with regard to the South China Sea.

The Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs has issued the following statement on 12 July 2016:

“The Philippines welcomes the issuance today, 12 July 2016, of the Award by the Arbitral Tribunal constituted by the Permanent Court of Arbitration under Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the arbitration proceedings initiated by the Philippines with regard to the South China Sea.

Our experts are studying the Award with the care and thoroughness that this significant arbitral outcome deserves. In the meantime, we call on all those concerned to exercise restraint and sobriety.

The Philippines strongly affirms its respect for this milestone decision as an important contribution to ongoing efforts in addressing disputes in the South China Sea. The decision upholds international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS.

The Philippines reiterates its abiding commitment to efforts to pursue the peaceful resolution and management of disputes with a view to promoting and enhancing peace and stability in the region.”

The arbitration case, which was lodged by the Philippines with the submission of its Memorial in January 2013, was heard by the Arbitral Tribunal under Annex VII to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

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