As US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained, the United States rejects any People’s Republic of China (PRC) maritime claims within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone or continental shelf, and claims in waters beyond 12 nautical miles from the islands in the Spratlys. Beijing’s harassment of Philippine fisheries and offshore energy development within those areas is unlawful, as are any unilateral PRC actions to exploit those resources. Under the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award, which is final and legally binding, the Philippines enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction with respect to the natural resources in its EEZ. As Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. remarked last weekend on the anniversary of the ruling, “The arbitral tribunal’s award of 12 July 2016 represents a victory, not just for the Philippines, but for the entire community of consistently law-abiding nations.”

Sung, K. (2020, July 17). PH future is in the West Philippine Sea. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A11.