Duterte affirms arbitral win vs China before UN: It’s now part of international law

Duterte, president of the Philippines, speaks in a pre-recorded message which was played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Sept 22, 2020, at the UN headquarters. - AP

MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): President Rodrigo Duterte affirmed on Wednesday (Sept 23) the Philippines’ arbitral victory against China over the South China Sea before the United Nations General Assembly.

“The award is now part of international law, beyond compromise and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish or abandon, ” he said in a speech that was pre-recorded at the Malacañang Golf Clubhouse in Manila and aired early on Wednesday.