The government of the Philippines is considering seeking compensation from China for its “increasing number” of transgressions in the West Philippine Sea, the latest of which were its plunder of corals in Rozul Reef and its installation of floating barriers in Panatag Shoal to ward off Filipino fishermen.
On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) began removing the floating barrier in Panatag or Scarborough Shoal off Zambales.
In an interview, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said his office is studying all legal options to address China’s provocative actions.
“Any legal option that may be taken in the future, including the filing of a complaint before an international tribunal for restitution or compensation, must have a solid factual and legal basis,” he told The STAR.
Guevarra said dealing with the issue “requires a lot of prudent consideration and circumspection.”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier recommended the filing of cases against China over the harvest and destruction of corals in the West Philippine Sea.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the case would be “very ripe for adjudication” as the Philippines already has a lot of evidence.
In 2013, the Philippines filed a case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague to contest Beijing’s incredible claim in the South China Sea.
In its nine-dash line claim, China is asserting control over almost the entire South China Sea.
Recently, Beijing released what it called its standard map showing a 10-dash line or an even bigger coverage of its claim.
In 2016, the arbitral court ruled in favor of the Philippines, reaffirming its maritime entitlements and invalidating China’s nine-dash line claim.
On PCG’s removing the floating barrier at the entrance to Panatag Shoal lagoon, spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said it was a “strong statement by the Philippines,” which might trigger strong reaction from China.
“They might still return the floating barrier once again, they might still do shadowing and a dangerous maneuver once again,” Tarriela said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
“With the instruction of the President, we have shown the world that the Filipino people will not back down, and we’re still going to consistently carry out whatever is necessary for us to maintain our presence in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
On Monday, Tarriela announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea directed the PCG to execute a “special operation” to remove the floating barrier.