PH ignores China demand to withdraw from Spratlys

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) paid little attention to China’s demand for the Philippines to withdraw from the Spratly Islands and reiterated its call for a moratorium in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) to ease tensions.

“We reiterate the call for a moratorium or freeze on activities that escalate tension in the South China Sea,” DFA Spokesman Charles Jose said in a press conference Tuesday.

Asked about China’s demand in a following ambush interview, he said “we are still studying how we will respond.”

DFA spokesman Charles Jose. AP FILE PHOTO

Jose said that moratorium would be the best way to manage tensions in the disputed waters as the arbitration case before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (Itlos) is still pending, he said.

“All of these are intended to await a mechanism for the resolution of disputes, which is the outcome of Philippine arbitration case for clarification of maritime entitlements for everyone’s benefit,” Jose said.

“We hope China will re-think its position. This is good for China. This is good for everyone,” he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hua Chunying on Monday demanded that the Philippines withdraw all facilities and personnel on islands that it has “illegally seized from China.”

“Since the 1970s, the Philippines has illegally and forcefully occupied parts of China’s Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands) including the Zhongye Island (Pag-asa Island), in violation of the UN Charter and principles of international law. We demand the Philippines to withdraw all its facilities and personnel on islands illegally seized from China,” Hua said.

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