With former Philippines government officials lodging a complaint in the International Criminal Court against Chinese President Xi Jinping for activities in the disputed South China Sea, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he recognized the Philippines’ right to the area. But he said he favored negotiation with China, citing the Philippines lacked the capacity to exploit the West Philippine Sea or enter into a war with the latter. “We have a right that is given, not only given by a convention [and] agreed upon by the international community through the [United Nations] but also pronounced by an international arbitral body,” said the four-term Senator, who is vying for a fifth term in the Senate in the upcoming mid-term elections.

Enrile favors negotiation on disputed West PH Sea. (2019, March 23). Manila Standard, p. A5.