Leave it to Law

Along with Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and the People Republic of China (China), the Philippines holds steadfast on its claim over parts of the South China Sea which is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits. The dispute has intensified when the Ministry of Geological Resources and Mining of the People’s Republic of China declared the resources-rich state of the disputed territory. The most aggressive contestant, however, is China which made the Philippines initiate an arbitrary proceeding and even reached international court. And the case goes on. 

I know nothing about when and how the dispute started. But I believe both the Philippines and China hold on with rights with valid grounds. Parties have been heard. Claims have been argued. No one seems to withdraw the bout. All is left for the International Court of Justice to decide. If we win, it would be an honor for the country to legally own the disputed territory. It may not solve problems we are currently facing but it may create opportunities. Probably. If we don’t, well, nothing will change anyway.

If the law would not favor our side, however,  I am convinced that we should stop claiming parts of the South China Sea. The dispute is nearing to turn into rising of arms which posts a bigger threat to the Filipino people. We are far behind the technological advances of China. The dispute would not just be a battle of legal rights, but of economic prowess as well. More of it even. It would be better if the Philippine government would focus on the more alarming problems of the country than creating the most alarming problem the dispute could bring. That is, war. 

I think the Philippine government had done enough. A lot has been spent. Leave it to law. Whatever it says, let us move on.