Philippines follows defeatist policy

(Baonghean.vn)- Law professor Florin Hilbay, one of the figures behind the Philippines' legal victory in the case against China at the Arbitration Court in The Hague (Netherlands) over the South China Sea dispute, has expressed disappointment with the approach of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration one year after the ruling.

Mr. Hilbay, who was the lawyer general under the previous Philippine administration, said the current administration had adopted a defeatist stance by setting aside the court's ruling in exchange for better relations with Beijing.

Law professor Florin Hilbay, one of the figures behind the Philippines' legal victory in its lawsuit against China at the Arbitration Court in The Hague (Netherlands). Photo: AP

“The first anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal ruling marks a year of disappointment after disappointment following our victory in The Hague,” said Hilbay. “The current administration seems to have adopted a policy of defeatism and a policy of non-implementation.”

A year after the ruling, the Philippines is still moving towards establishing friendly relations with Beijing, with the initiation of direct negotiations on the dispute.

Philippine President Duterte has met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping three times since the ruling was announced. Only during his second visit to Beijing did Duterte claim that Xi threatened to start a war if the Philippines drilled for oil in disputed waters. Manila also did not bring up the court ruling at the start of bilateral discussions with Beijing./.

Lan Ha

(According to Philstar)