Abstract
The Philippine decision to place its South China Sea maritime dispute with China under the compulsory arbitrations process of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, has, arguably enhanced the complexity of the two-decade-long multi-party dispute. It highlights the challenges of developing a “rules-based regime” by introducing binding international legal process to the already convoluted and multi-layered issue. Less than a month after receiving the Philippines’ Notice to Arbitrate along with its Statement of Claims at the Chinese Embassy in Manila on 21 January 2013, Beijing informed Manila that it was rejecting arbitration and urged instead a return to bilateral consultations and negotiations (GMA News, 2013). Manila’s decision was driven by fears of its inability to effectively counter Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in pursuing its claims. Seeking to gain international support while reducing its impact on overall PhilippineChina relations, Manila insists that arbitration is “the most peaceful, durable and lasting solution” to their maritime disputes. However, far from easing tensions, it is raising even more complex legal, political, and security issues, and untangling them is critical to the management of the disputes and the maintenance of stability in the region.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Administrative Order No. 29, Series of 2012. (5 September 2012). Retrieved 5 February 2013, from Philippines Official Gazette: http://www.gov.ph/2012/09/05/administrative-order-no-29-s-2012.
Agence France Presse/Manila Bulletin. (26 April 2013). ASEAN Leaders Back Aquino Sea Dispute. Retrieved 1 May 2013, from Yahoo.com: http://www.ph.new.yahoo.com/asean-leaders-back-aquino-sea-dispute-202120554.html.
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning the Status of Visiting Forces of Each State in the Territory of the Other. (2012). Retrieved 26 June 2013, from Australia Treaty Series 31: http://www.austlii.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/ATS/2012/31.
Armed Forces of the Philippines. (2010). Armed Forces of the Philippines Internal Peace and Security Plan (2010). Retrieved 2 June 2013, from http://www.army.mil.ph/pdf_files/bayanihan.pdf.
ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea. (1992). Retrieved 2 March 2012, from Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore: http://www/cil.nus.edu.sg/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Documents-on-ASEAN-and-South-China-Sea-as-of-June-2011.pdf.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (22 July 1992). 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea signed on 22 July 1992 in Manila, by the Foreign Ministers. Retrieved 2 March 2012, from National University of Singapore, Center for International Web Site: http://cil.nus.edu.sg/re/pdf/1992%20ASEAN%20Declaration%20on%20the%20South%20China%20Sea-pdf.pdf.
Banlaoi, R. (10 January 2011). Philippine Claim in the South China Sea: An External Security Challenge. Retrieved 23 March 2013, from Declassified Information: http://declassifiedrommelbanlaoi.blogspot.com/2011/01/philippine-.
Batongbacal, J. (16 February 2012). University of the Philippines Round Table Discussion on Contemporary China. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Bordadora, N. (22 April 2012). Sison chides China for “absurd” Panatag claim. Retrieved 7 February, 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://www.globalnation.inquirer.net/34279/sison-chides-china-for-absurd-panatag-claim#ixzz2MvRPsHPX.
Burgonio, T. (12 June 2013). Philippines Can’t Rely on US vs China, Says Expert. Retrieved 14 June 2013, from Yahoo.com: http://ph.new.yahoo.com/philippines-cant-rely-us-vs-china-says-expert-040003515.html.
Burgonio, T. (22 November 2012). 5 Nations Support PH Position on Sea Dispute. Retrieved 16 January 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/57357/5-nations-support-ph-position-on-sea-dispute.
Carpio, A. (18 May 2013). The Rule of Law in the West Philippines Sea Dispute. Retrieved 1 June 2013, from Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs: http://www.imoa.ph/the-rule-of-law-in-the-west-philippine-sea-.
Del Callar, M. (25 April 2013). ITLOS Completes Five-Man Tribunal That Will Hear Phl Case v. China. Retrieved 28 April 2013, from GMA News Online: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/305570/news/nation/itlos-completes-five-man-tribunal-that-will-hear-phl-case-vs-china.
Del Rosario, A. (30 April 2012). Remarks with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Philippines Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, and Philippines Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin after Their Meeting. Retrieved 6 June 2013, from US Department of State Website: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/188982.htm.
Del Rosario, A. (9 June 2011). A Rules-Based Regime in the South China Sea. Retrieved 14 February 2013, from Philippine Embassy in Czech Republic Website: http://www.praguepe.cz/newsAll.php?page=2.
Department of Foreign Affairs. (18 April 2012). Philippine Position on Bajo De Masinloc and the Waters within Its Vicinity. Retrieved 26 April 2012, from Official Gazette online: http://www.gov.ph/2012/04/18/philippine-position-on-bajo-de-masinloc-and-waters-within-its-vicinity/.
Department of Foreign Affairs. (22 January 2013). Notification and Statement of Claim on the West Phiippines Sea. Retrieved 1 February 2013, from Scribd. com: http://www.scribd.com/com/121585323/Notification-and-Statement-of-Claim-on-the-West-Philippine-Sea.
Dizon, N. (2 December 2012). Row with China a “Reawakening” for PH defense. Retrieved 16 January 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/58487/row-with-china-a-reawakening-for-ph-defense.
Doronila, A. (14 January 2013). Kishida Visit Shot in the Arm for PH. Retrieved 10 February 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://opinion.inquirer.net/44847/kishida-visit-shot-in-the-arm-for-ph.
Doronila, A. (18 September 2012). AO 29 Heightens Tensions between PH and China. Retrieved 10 February 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://www.opinion.inquirer.net/37034/ao-29-heightens-tensions-between-ph-and-china.
Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (28 April 2014). Retrieved 9 May 2014, from Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines: http:www.gov.ph/2014/04/29/document-enhanced-cooperation-agreement/.
Esmaquel, P. (20 July 2012). PH’s 1st “Mistake” in Scarborough. Retrieved 20 July 2012, from Rappler.com: http://www.rappler.com/nation/8927-ph-s-1st-mistake-in-scarborough.
Esplanada, J. (20 May 2012). Japan, Sokor, Australia to Help PH Improve Defense Capability. Retrieved 10 April 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/3744/japan-sokor-australia-to-help-ph-improve-defense-capability — dfa.
GlobalSecurity.org. (n.d.). Philippine Defense Spending. Retrieved 24 February 2013, from GlobalSecurity.org Web Site: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/philippines/budget.htm.
GMA News. (20 February 2013). China Formally Rejects UN Arbitration on West Phl Sea Issue. Retrieved 21 February 2013, from Yahoo.com: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/china-formally-rejects-un-arbitration-west-phiippine-sea-115408467.
GMA News. (6 July 2011). JMSU Gave China the Opening to Claim Reed Bank, Says Lacierda. Retrieved 15 April 2013, from Yahoo.com: http://www.ph.news.yahoo.com/jmsu-gave-china-opening-claim-reed-bank-says-150805963.
Guidaben, A. (21 February 2008). ZTE Controversy Interrupts Golden Age of RP-China Relations. Retrieved 21 March 2013, from GMA Network News. com: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story.81636/news/zte-controversy-interrupts-golden-age-of-rp-china-relations.
Gutierrez, J. (10 May 2012). China Issues Warnings Philippines. Retrieved 22 February 2013, from ABS-CBN News.com: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/depth/05/10/12/china-issues-warnings-philippines.
Inquirer Research. (10 August 2012). SWS Survey: Filipinos Lose Trust in China. Retrieved 15 March 2013, from Global Nation.Inquirer.net: http://www.global-nation.inquirer.net/46863/sws-survey-filipinos-lose-trust-in-china#xzz2VUtYS.
Island of Palmas Case (Netherlands, USA) (Permanent Court of Arbitration 4 April 1928).
Katigbak, J. (28 April 2013). US Hikes Foreign Aid to Phl. Retrieved 8 March 2013, from Philstar.com: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/04/28/935744/us-hikes-foreign-aid-phl.
Laserna, M. J. (n.d.). Paracel and Spratly Islands Forum: The Legal Basis of Vietnam’s Claims. Retrieved 2 February 2013, from Paracelspratlyislands.blogspot: http://paracelspratlyislands.blogspot.com/2008/01/legal-basis-of-vietnams-claims.html.
Legarda, L. (4 July 2012). SOVFA Sponsorship Speech. Retrieved 4 February 2013, from Philippines Senate Website: http:www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2012/0604_legarda3.asp.
Legaspi, A. (21 November 2011). Pinoy to Korean President: We Need Defense Articles. Retrieved 11 February 2013, from GMA Network.com: http://gmanetwork.com/news/story/239181/news/nation/pnoy-to-korean-president-phlneeds-defense-articles.
Mangosing, F. (28 March 2014). PH acquires P23.7B-worth of fighter jets, helicopters. Retrieved 5 September, 2014, from Inquirer.net: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/589890/ph-acquires-p23–7b-worth-of-fighter-jets-helicopters.
Mendez, C. &. D. Porcalla. (12 December 2012). Congress Allots P75 B for Extension of AFP Modernization Act. Retrieved 11 February 2013, from Philstar. com: http://philstar.com/headlines/2012/12/12/885003/congress-allots-p75-bextension-afp-modernization-act.
National Security Policy (2011–2016). (8 August 2011). Retrieved 18 April 2013, from Philippine Government Website: http://www.gov.ph/downloads/2011/08aug/NATIONAL-SECURITY-POLICY-2011–2016.PDF.
Oceans and Law of the Sea, UN. (25 August 2006). Declarations and Statements. Retrieved 12 November 2013, from Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_declarations.htm#China%20after%20ratification.
Olchondra, R. (18 June 2012). Philippines Losing Banana Market–Exporters Group. Retrieved 28 February 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://www.business.inquirer.net/65695/philippines-losing-china-banana-market-exporters-group.
Pastrana, D. (7 March 2008). ZTE-NBN Scandal Triggers Political Crisis in the Philippines. Retrieved 2 June 2013, from World Socialist Web Site: http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2008/03/phil-m07.html.
Pazzibugan, D. (17 April 2012). Second Cutter from US Due within 2nd Quarter. Retrieved 13 February 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/33597/second-cutter-from-us-due-within-2nd-quarter#ixzz2UZpgtRqm.
Philippine Senate. (July 2012). Resolution Concurring in the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Australia Concerning the Status of Visiting Forces of Each State in the Territory of the Other. Retrieved 12 March 2013, from Philippine Senate Website: http:senate.gov.ph/15th_congress/resolutions/resno100.pdf.
Philippines Constitution, Article 1. (1987).
Pilling, D. L. (9 December 2012). Philippines Backs Rearming of Japan. Retrieved 10 February 2013, from Financial Times.com: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/250430bc-41–11e2-a8c3–00144feabdc0.html#axzz2LvBp8lrU.
Presidential Decree 1596. (11 June 1978). Retrieved 4 February 2013, from Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines: http://www.gov.ph/1978/06/11/presidential-decree-no-1596-s-1978/.
Presidential Decree 1599. (11 June 1978). Retrieved 4 February 2013, from Lawphil.net: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1599.html.
Prof. Merlin Magallona et al. v. Hon. Eduardo Ermita, G.R. No. 187167 (Supreme Court of the Philippines, 16 July 2011).
Rappler.com. (22 January 2013). PH to Take China Dispute to UN Tribunal. Retrieved 26 January 2013, from Rappler.com: http://www.rappler.com/nation/20189-ph-takes-china-dispute-to-un.
Remo, A. R. (5 November 2012). Forum Wants to Start Recto Bank Drilling. Retrieved 15 March 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://www.business.inquirer.net/91112/forum-wants-to-start-recto-bank-drilling.
Republic Act No. 10349. (11 December 2012). Retrieved 24 February 2013, from Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines: http://www.gov.ph/2012/12/11/republic-act-no-10349
Republic Act No. 3046. (17 June 1961). Retrieved 4 February 2013, from Lawphil. net: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra/ra_3046_1961.html.
Republic Act No. 5446. (18 September 1968). Retrieved 4 February 2013, from Lawphil.net: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1968/ra_5446.html.
Republic Act No. 7898. (23 February 1995). Retrieved 24 February 2013, from Chanrobles.com: http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno7898.htm#.U1T1D8Yv1o.
Republic Act No. 9522. (10 March 2009). Retrieved 4 February 2013, from Lawphil. net: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9522_2009.html.
Rodis, R. (3 June 2013). China’s Salami-Slicing Cabbage Strategy to Seize PH Islands and Reefs. Retrieved 4 June 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/76323/chinas-cabbage-strategy-to-recover-chinese-islands-reefs-occupied-by-ph.
Roque, J. H. (27 February 2013). After the Chinese Snub. Retrieved 28 February 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://opinion.inquirer.net/47781/after-the-chinesesnub#sthas.CVJDNw1E.dpuf.
Santos, D. (1 May 2012). Pinoy, US Troops Planning for Next “Balikatan.” Retrieved 6 June 2013, from Rappler.com: http://www.rappler.com/nation/4564-ph-us-to-meet-anew-to-plan-next-balikatan.
Santos, D. Y. (1 May 2012). PH-US to Meet Anew to Plan Next Balikatan. Retrieved 6 June 2013, from Rappler.com: http:/www.rappler.com/nation/4564-ph-us-to-meet-anew-to-plan-next-balikatan.
Sedano, T. (14 December 2007). An Assessment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. Retrieved 4 February 2013, from http://www.dtic.mil/cgbin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA494077.
Severino, R. (2012). ASEAN and the South China Sea. Security Challenges, 6(2), 37–47.
Tay, S. (22 January 2013). Legal Process, Political Mess. Retrieved 8 June 2013, from Todayonline.com: http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/legal-process-.
Thayer, C. A. (9 August 2012). ASEAN’s Code of Conduct in South China Sea: A Litmus Test for Community-Building? Retrieved 10 March 2013, from The Asia-Pacific Journal.org Web site: http://www.japanfocus.org./-Carlyle_A_Thayer/3813.
Ubac, M. &. (28 April 2013). Del Rosario: Taking Sea Case to Arbitration Was Last Resort. Retrieved 29 April 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/73281/del-rosario-taking-sea-case-to-arbitration-was-last-resort.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. (10 December1982). United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Retrieved 16 March 2012, from United Nations.org: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/text/unclos/unclos_e.pdf.
Xinhua. (5 September 2012). China’s Position on the South China Sea Consistent, Clear: FM. Retrieved 15 February 2013, from News.Xinhuanet.com: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012–09/05/c_131829526.htm.
Yamsuan, C. & K. Evangelista. (25 July 2012). Senate OKs Philippines-Australia Pact. Retrieved 7 February 2013, from Inquirer.net: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/45275/senate-passes-visiting-pact-with-australia-on-3rd-reading.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2015 Angelo A. Jimenez
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Jimenez, A.A. (2015). Philippines’ Approaches to the South China Sea Disputes: International Arbitration and the Challenges of a Rule-Based Regime. In: Huang, J., Billo, A. (eds) Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137463685_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137463685_7
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-49925-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-46368-5
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political Science CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)