THERE is no backing out for the Philippine government from a petition for arbitration that it filed before a United Nations body to settle a maritime dispute with China, especially since more powerful countries are backing Manila’s stand, a Malacanang official said on Sunday.

In an interview over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. noted that the outpouring of international support for the Philippines’ position on the dispute with China over maritime territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) further emboldens the government to pursue its claims through the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (Itlos) in The Hague, The Netherlands.

“It is very clear that it is not only the Philippines that believes that the filing of the petition before the Court of Arbitration is justified… Many countries are supporting our stand on the issue,” Coloma said.

He was reacting to the Chinese government’s earlier pronouncements that the filing of the petition was a form of “political arrogance” or legal prejudice on the part of the Philippines.

Contrary to such allegation, Coloma said, powerful political and economic blocs around the world have supported the Philippine cause.

http://www.manilatimes.net/world-behind-ph-on-maritime-dispute/258157/