Comicomment: The Philippines' legislative trick only puts himself in danger
The Philippines stirred up trouble again by enacting two domestic laws which gravely infringed upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The so-called laws attempt to enshrine the illegal award of the South China Sea arbitration in the form of domestic legislation, sparking strong condemnation and serious protests from Beijing.
The U.S. State Department on Nov. 8 issued a statement supporting the so-called act, alleging that it "aligns" Philippine domestic laws with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the so-called "2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling." Driven by geopolitical interests, the U.S. uses the Philippines to expand its influence in the region. Misled by U.S. rhetoric, the Philippines acts as a pawn, disrupting regional peace and stability.
While the South China Sea should be a region of peace and cooperation, the Philippines' aggressive moves violate regional aspirations and risk undermining stability, ultimately harming itself.