Sydney. February 22, 2013. During a conference attended by Philippine media, Ambassador Belen Fule-Anota said: “The Philippines sent a notification to China. We have invited China to join us in the arbitration process. Unfortunately, on the 19th of February which is within the 30 day period allowed by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) for China to reply, China rejected it and returned the notification to the Philippines. But then, the commission of UNCLOS provides that with or without China, we can proceed with our legal procedure.”
The ambassador added that the arbitration process may take from 3 to 4 years. Meanwhile, Philippine Sentinel commented that China appears to be bent on exhausting the marine resources of the disputed territory. Many Chinese fishing boats escorted by Chinese military naval vessels have been spotted fishing and taking huge amount of fish and live corals from the Spratlys. It is believed that the archipelago is rich in natural gas and oil reserves and that appears to be the primary reason why China wants to take possession of the entire island group.
The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the West Philippine Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia (Sabah), about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam.
“So the Philippines will continue to pursue diplomatic and legal means [to protect our territory]. The decision of the arbitrator will be final and executory.” — thus concluded the Philippine Ambassador who travelled all the way from Canberra to Sydney to meet with Philippine media.