America’s former naval commander in the Pacific says, ‘Going to the international tribunal to challenge China on the 9-dash line was a very brave step by the Filipino government’
MANILA, Philippines – “The Philippines is a true leader in Southeast Asia on rule of law issues.”

The former commander of American forces in the Pacific hailed the Philippines for being the only nation to challenge China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea before an international tribunal.

Retired Admiral Samuel Locklear, former commander of the US Pacific Command (Pacom), said the Philippines’ historic arbitration case against China was a bold move to stand up to Beijing’s increasing aggression in disputed waters.

“Going to the international tribunal at the UN to challenge China on the 9-dash line was a very brave step by the Filipino government, by President [Benigno] Aquino, Secretary [Albert] del Rosario, and the team that did that. So they have to be very much applauded. That is exactly the kind of lane that US policy is in,” Locklear said in an interview with Rappler.

Read more: http://www.rappler.com/nation/115554-philippines-china-arbitration-csis