MANILA, Philippines — Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday commended President Rodrigo Duterte for his recent remarks on China's actions in the South China Sea.
Earlier this week, Duterte said Beijing's claim to airspace above artificial islands in the South China Sea "is wrong."
"That is wrong because those waters are what we consider international sea," Duterte said in a speech before an audience that included foreign guests.
"You cannot create an island, it's man-made, and you say that the air above these artificial islands is yours," the president also said.
READ: Duterte: China should temper its behavior in disputed waters
Del Rosario, who led the Philippines in its arbitration case against China, said Duterte's latest remarks would encourage and inspire Filipinos through his manifestation of positive leadership.
Duterte's latest public criticism of China's activities in the South China Sea was rare as he has refused to antagonize the country to strengthen relations.
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"We want to respectfully commend President Duterte on his recent remarks about China's aggressive and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea," Del Rosario said at a forum on rules-based order organized by Stratbase ADR Institute.
"If we truly adhere and respect the rule of law, we should actively seek to end any unlawful and aggressive attack to the rules-based international system," Del Rosario said.
Former SFA Albert del Rosario says the militarization of the South China Sea is an important and contentious threat to the region. pic.twitter.com/5BAW6hDETf
— Patricia Lourdes Viray (@patriciaviray) August 17, 2018
In his speech, Del Rosario noted that Beijing's militarizatiom of the South China Sea remains one of the "most important and contentious external threats" in the region.
China has refused to acknowledge the jurisdiction of the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated its nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.
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Del Rosario also noted how China has "unwaveringly flexed its muscle to deprive us of our sovereign rights."
The former DFA secretary reiterated that the Philippines should stand up for the rule of law and rally the support of other countries.
He suggested that the Philippines can seek for a United Nations resolution that would order China to abide by the tribunal ruling.
"Let us not be willing victims by supporting and fuelling China's non-adherence to the rule of law. Concomitantly, we cannot remain silent," Del Rosario said.