Geopolitical experts, including former foreign ministers, from the United States, Australia, India, and Japan called for a peaceful approach and compliance to international law to avoid military confrontation amidst the growing tensions in the South China Sea. Stratbase Albert del Rosario (ADRi) President Prof. Dindo Manhit, in his statement during the recent virtual international conference marking the fifth anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling said, “The rising tensions in the West Philippines Sea have become more than just an issue of conflicting territorial claims.” “The security challenges brought by China’s aggressive behavior in the region will seriously impact the future of the Philippines and other states in the Indo-Pacific.”

Peaceful end to sea row sought. (2021, July 16). Manila Standard, p. A2.