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Agence France-Presse

The Philippines said on Thursday it would ask a UN tribunal to expedite its appeal to declare China’s expansive claims to the South China Sea invalid, as tensions over the contested waters worsen.
A formal request will be filed seeking a resolution on the case within the year or early next year, foreign department spokesman Charles Jose said.
“We are consulting our legal team to present a request to the tribunal if it can hasten its process earlier, rather than later,” Jose said.
He declined to say when the request would be formally transmitted, however.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario separately said a speedier ruling was necessary “because the situation is getting worse by the day in the South China Sea”.

China claims most of the South China Sea, including waters near the shores of its neighbours, which has led to escalating territorial disputes.

	The situation is getting worse by the day in the South China Sea

	Albert del Rosario
“The only mechanism that’s out there right now ... is arbitration,” del Rosario was quoted in local press reports as saying.
“So we hope to be able to get the arbitration in place, that will be the goal line for all of us,” del Rosario said.
“Hopefully since China is not participating perhaps we can get a quicker resolution from the tribunal,” said del Rosario.
Manila lodged an appeal in March with the United Nations tribunal to rule the claims illegal, but China has resolutely refused to participate in the proceedings.
Del Rosario has said he backs a US proposal for a fresh regional dialogue for a freeze on actions that could provoke tensions in the South China Sea amid fears that Beijing has increasingly become aggressive in staking its claims.
In recent months, the Philippines filed protests after it monitored reclamations in a number of outcrops in the sea region that are within its exclusive economic zone but are occupied by China.
In one of the outcrops, Johnson South Reef, the Philippines said the Chinese appeared to be reclaiming land that may turned into an airstrip.
Apart from the Philippines, China also has overlapping South China Sea claims with Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, a well as with rival Taiwan.


Philippines seeks quick UN ruling on South China Sea dispute 

Chinese Coast Guard vessel passes near Chinese oil rig in the South China Sea. The Philippines has said China's "expansion agenda" in the disputed South China Sea threatened security. Photo: Reuters

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said a speedier UN ruling was necessary. Photo: AFP

Philippines’ Aquino to visit Japan as China tensions mount over territorial disputes

Philippine President Benigno Aquino will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a move to deepen ties as the two nations have endured increasingly hostile disputes with China over rival maritime territorial claims. Photo: Reuters

Surveillance photo shows a Chinese vessel being used to expand structures and land on the Johnson Reef at the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The Philippines has accused China of creating artificial islands on tiny islets and reefs, possibly as a prelude to building military installations. Photo: AP

China rejects Philippine proposal for construction ban in South China Sea

An aerial view of Sansha on Woody Island. Photo: AFP

Albert del Rosario wants a freeze in activities that could inflame tensions in the South China Sea. Photo: EPA

Philippines files fourth protest over China reef ‘reclamation’ in disputed territory

A protester displays a placard during a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate at the financial district of Makati city, east of Manila, Philippines on Friday May 16. photo: AP

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