Lawyers representing the Philippines asserted the country’s environmental and fishing claims in the South China Sea against China during the second day of arbitration hearings in The Netherlands. Malacanang deputy spokesman Abigail Valte, who is in The Hague, on Thursday said international law expert Alan Boyle made a presentation “regarding the strength of the Philippines’ environmental and fishing claims against China” at the continuation of the first round of arguments on Wednesday. The Philippines argued that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) requires signatory states to adopt measures to protect the marine environment. Both China and the Philippines were among the signatory states to the Unclos. The Philippines said China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) has damaged coral reefs in contested waters there.

Valente, C. (2015, July 10). PH asserts environmental, fishing claims. Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.