More freedom of navigation ops in Asia Pacific seen

Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy May 21, 2015. U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters/File Photo

With the Philippines’ positive verdict on the arbitration case, Richard Javad Heydarian, a professor in political science at De La Salle University in Manila, said other countries will have more freedom of navigation operations in the Asia-Pacific region and may also file similar cases.

Being one of the biggest maritime powers, the analyst said Beijing cannot ignore the ruling since it needs the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) to protect its interest in other parts of the world.

Heydarian suggested the Philippines and China to tap the Reconciliation Commission, under the Unclos, which will serve as an advisory board.

“Both countries have to reiterate their commitment to international law but perhaps in a different mechanism,” he said in a television interview.

“Reconciliation Commission will not come out with a binding verdict. What it can provide is advisory opinion like counseling on how we can come together and make this relationship work,” he added.