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Ex-DFA chief Del Rosario: Philippines can 'seize' China assets as payback

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Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/06/08/20190621albert-del-rosario-arrival-gc3370.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Former DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario shows his passport to the media as he arrives at the NAIA Terminal 3 on June 21, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA -- The Philippines&#x27; former top envoy who led an international legal challenge against China said Monday Manila could &quot;seize&quot; some of Beijing&#x27;s assets for the damage it wrought during its island-building spree.Ex-Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines&#x27; could take state-run Chinese firms&#x27; stake in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and DITO Telecommunity.China has a 40 percent stake in the National Grid Corp, which operates the Philippines&#x27; power grid or electricity distribution infrastructure, while DITO is a joint venture between China Telecom and Udenna Corp, billed as the country&#x27;s third telco.&quot;Philippine authorities have the right to seize assets and properties owned by Chinese state in the Philippines to satisfy China&#x27;s debt to the Filipino people once China&#x27;s full monetary damages are determined,&quot; Del Rosario said.&quot;China can be held accountable here in our country and our Philippine government needs to stand up for Filipinos,&quot; said Del Rosario, who dragged China to an arbitration court in 2012 to settle the maritime dispute.A Senate hearing earlier found that China has a 40-percent stake in NGCP, but Chinese officials clarified that they did not control the Philippine power grid.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/20/19/senate-to-probe-chinas-stake-in-ngcp-over-national-security-concerns">Senate to probe China’s stake in NGCP over national security concerns</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/business/11/28/19/china-ph-power-grid-not-under-our-control">China: PH power grid not under our control</a></li></ul>A study from the University of the Philippines&#x27; Marine Science Institute found that China&#x27;s reclamation in the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands - measuring up to 1,850 hectares - resulted in P33.1 billion in annual losses for the country.As of this year, China owes the Philippines about P200 billion, said Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who earlier authored a Senate resolution urging the Chinese government to pay its debt.&quot;It remains up to the Philippine government to assert that that is indeed a very reasonable and legitimate claim,&quot; Hontiveros, who also attended the webinar, said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/22/20/hontiveros-wants-china-to-pay-for-philippines-covid-19-expenses">Hontiveros wants China to pay for Philippines&#x27; COVID-19 expenses</a></li></ul>In April, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines described Hontiveros&#x27; demand to settle the debt as &quot;ridiculously absurd and irresponsible.&quot;China built massive fortresses in reefs claimed by the Philippines before President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016. His predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, won a case before a United Nations-backed arbitration court, but the verdict was handed down during the incumbent&#x27;s term.Duterte has yet to enforce the Hague-based court&#x27;s ruling, and instead sought closer economic and political ties with China.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/25/19/ph-china-ink-6-bilateral-deals-for-projects-under-build-build-build-other-ventures">PH, China ink 6 bilateral deals for projects under &#x27;Build, Build, Build&#x27;, other ventures</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/11/19/18/two-years-after-philippines-pivot-duterte-still-waiting-on-china-dividend">Two years after Philippines&#x27; pivot, Duterte still waiting on China dividend</a></li></ul>

The Philippines' former top envoy who led an international legal challenge against China said Monday Manila could "seize" some of Beijing's assets for the damage it wrought during its island-building spree.

The Philippines' former top envoy who led an international legal challenge against China said Monday Manila could "seize" some of Beijing's assets for the damage it wrought during its island-building spree.

Ex-DFA chief Del Rosario: Philippines can 'seize' China assets as payback

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Ex-DFA chief Del Rosario: Philippines can 'seize' China assets as payback

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 08, 2020 03:11 PM PHT

Read More:

Albert del Rosario

China

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

territorial dispute

marine resources

marine damage

environment

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