EX-ENVOY URGES PROPER UN PETITION FILING

Retired ambassador Hermenegildo Cruz has advocated for filing a petition with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to secure access to resources in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Cruz, in an interview with The Manila Times, emphasized the need for a two-thirds majority in the UNSC, predicting a favorable 13-2 or 13-1-1 vote, despite potential vetoes from China and Russia.

He suggested that if the UNSC is paralyzed by a veto, a special emergency session of the UN General Assembly could override it with a two-thirds majority vote.

Cruz argued that the focus should be on China’s denial of resource access rather than its aggression and called for a rewording of the Senate resolution to gain broader international support.

Senator Risa Hontiveros echoed the need for urgent diplomatic action, highlighting the recent harassment of Filipino vessels by China.

Source: PhilNews24 | September 17, 2024