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The so-called arbitral award on the South China Sea is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it. We oppose and do not accept any claim or action based on the award,
Mao said
We strongly condemn and firmly oppose it,
Mao saidChina will firmly oppose any infringement activities and provocations by the Philippines in the South China Sea based on the act,
she notedChina urges the Philippine side to effectively respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, to immediately stop taking any unilateral actions that may lead to the widening of the dispute and complicate the situation,
Mao said
Our people, especially our fisher folk, should be able to pursue their livelihood free from uncertainty and harassment,
Marcos said
China will not recognize these, but the imprimatur that we'll be getting from the international community would strengthen our position,
Tolentino told a press conference
However, these Philippines' actions are not only unhelpful for resolving disputes but will only further intensify conflicts and exacerbate tensions in the South China Sea,
Yang said
It is my fervent hope that with the help of these two laws, we will continue to pursue and defend our maritime interests and navigate towards a brighter and stronger Bagong Pilipinas,
he added
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With these pieces of legislation, we align our domestic laws with international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, improve our capacity for governance, and reinforce our maritime policies for economic development and for national security,
Marcos said shortly after the ceremonial signing of the laws in Malacañan PalaceThis matter is close to my heart because these measures prove not only our commitment to ensuring the safety and prosperity of our maritime domain but also our firm faith in our identity as a maritime nation. It is a spirit that transcends administrations. It is an intrinsic and undeniable part of the national – the Filipino character,
Marcos remarkedThese signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve our rich biodiversity and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood for all Filipinos,
Marcos said
By asserting our rights over the sea and air, we are in effect ensuring the utilization of the rich resources in our territorial waters for the benefit of our people,
Escudero saidThe crafting of these laws and their enforcement are in accordance with UNCLOS. They provide the country with more teeth in responding to infractions against Philippine interests,
Escudero saidThese legal instruments solidify our territory and enhances our ability to protect our country against any infringement,
National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano saidIt is imperative for the Philippines to cease their deliberate and wrong actions that undermine the overall interests of the bilateral relationship between the two countries and the peace and stability in the South China Sea,
the statement saidIt is only right that the President signed the two bills into law,
she said in a separate statementThe two laws will further strengthen our sovereignty and sovereign rights over our territorial waters and the airspace over it,
he addedIt is expected that the clarity of the extent of the maritime zones and the determination of the archipelagic sea lanes will impact domestic laws and regulations at the national and local levels,
he saidThese laws represent a brave step forward, and a victory for every Filipino,
he saidUltimately, these new laws will help secure what is ours — our waters, our rich marine life — today and for future generations,
she said