Question

Opinion 1:

Filipinos should rejoice that the UN Tribunal has upheld their right to the islands

and waters of the Spratlys. It is but right that the Philippines has gained this victory

over a known super power not through force of arms, but by engaging the global

community and appealing to the rule of law. The Tribunal’s decision both upholds

the UNCLOS as the primary basis for determining matters related to territorial waters

and provides nations an example of how the rule of law and due process, when

properly observed, can bring about a fair resolution.

With this victory, the Philippines can now confidently face China in negotiating

the rights to the territorial waters in the Spratlys. Armed with the conviction that the

Filipino people and its government are in the right; Filipino negotiators will now be

able to ask for more equitable terms regarding access to and use of resources in the

disputed area. International opinion can also be used to convince China to scale back

on its activities in the Spratlys islands, and this hopefully will put a stop to the

construction of facilities and their increasing military presence in the disputed

islands. The decision has made diplomacy the only option to resolve the issue

regarding the Spratlys. The region and the world will not benefit if the Philippines

and China, along with the other claimant countries, abandon dialogue and resort to

force to push their respective claims. With the support of its international partners,

the Philippines can now justly assert its rights and enjoin all involved parties to

uphold respect for international law.

Opinion 2:

China will never recognize the UN Tribunal decision and will continue its activities

in the disputed Spratly islands. Ever since the Philippines filed its cases against

China at the United Nations, the Chines government has dismissed the proceeding

and has not participated in any of the hearings of the Tribunal. This shows China’s

utter disregard for international rule of law and its lack of respect for the UNCLOS,

a document to which China is a signing party. The military and economic ambitions

of China will continue to fuel its desire to occupy more territory. If China does not

give way despite the decision and the overwhelming international pressure, what will

stop it from occupying islands that actually belong to the Philippines?

The continued presence of Chinese forces in the islands is a disaster waiting to

happen. Given that they have control over many islands and have been harassing

Filipino fishermen who go into its nearby waters, what will stop the Chinese from using destructive and deadly force on any other ship that dares to trespass in their

so-called territories? Nothing short of a war will convince China that its territorial

ambitions have already exceeded the tolerance of the world.


Which among these is most acceptable? How will these opinions guide your

views and actions as citizens of the Philippines? Write your answer on a separate

sheet of paper.​

Answer 1

Answer:

may be answer is option 1

hope its help u