DND chief Teodoro to China: Put maritime claim to arbitration

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Monday challenged China to put its sovereignty claim to arbitration after it had warned the Philippines to bear all ”potential consequences” amid its actions in the South China Sea.

”Kung talagang gusto nila, kung talaga siguro hindi sila natatakot na ihayag sa boung mundo ang kanilang claim, bakit hindi tayo mag-arbitrate sa ilalim ng international law para maliwanag sa lahat kung ano ang karapatan ng kahit sino? Bakit ayaw nila?” Teodoro said.

[If they really want … if they are not afraid to tell the world of their claim, why not go into international arbitration so it will be clear to everyone what right does one have over the matter? Why are they hesitant to do so?]

Teodoro also maintained that it is Beijing that is continuously intruding into the Philippines’ territorial waters. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News