Since Spain first conquered the Philippines 495 years ago, this country’s destiny has too often been determined by great foreign powers. However, then President Benigno Aquino III’s suit at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2013 concerning the South China Sea has set the stage for President Duterte to develop a long-term peaceful solution to the claims of not just the Philippines and China but also of others. Many in the United States, recognizing China’s precarious legal position, urge what will in effect be an unconditional surrender of its “historical” claim to the South China Sea, which includes all waters within the so-called “nine-dash line” that covers most of the sea.

Bautista, F., & Lim, J. N. (2016, July 26). Bloodless 'military' victory possible in South China Sea. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A12.