Eleven senators crossed party lines Monday to file a strongly-worded resolution denouncing the illegal activities of China in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EZZ) and other parts of the West Philippine Sea. In filing Senate Resolution 708, principally authored by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, the senators said the continued presence of Chinese vessels in the country’s territories violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The measure was expected to be signed and passed by the other members of the 24-man Senate, who had yet to receive a physical copy of the resolution since the chamber was not in session on Monday.

Ramos-Araneta, M., & Requejo, R. E. (2021, April 27). Senators denounce China: File resolution criticizing Chinese incursions, chamber approval up. Manila Standard, pp. A1 A2.