Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — We’re doing nothing wrong, said Malacañang in response to new threats from China.
“The position of our government is clear. All our actions pertaining to territorial disputes are in accordance to international law and with our policy of pursuing only peaceful and diplomatic means to resolve disputes on territorial claims,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma told the media in a mix of English and Filipino in a briefing Tuesday.
Coloma was responding to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei’s statement on Monday that China “is on high alert for the Philippines possibly taking more provocative acts in the South China Sea. The Philippines must accept responsibility for the consequences of what will happen.”
“The Philippines reiterates that Ayungin Shoal is part of its continental shelf over which the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” Coloma said.
Coloma also recalled the Department of Affairs (DFA) statement two weeks ago, stating that BRP Sierra Madre was placed in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 in response to China’s illegal occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995.
The DFA said the vessel will not be removed despite China’s expulsion of ships attempting to deliver new supplies.
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