Gov’t reaffirms diplomatic approach in West PH Sea dispute

Following continued reports of China’s aggressive reclamation over the contested West Philippine Sea, Malacañang on Friday maintained that diplomatic arbitration remains to be the country’s best approach in dealing with maritime disputes.

In a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the Philippines remains consistent in resolving issues in the proper platform.

“The Philippines will continue to commit to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas and to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” he said.

Coloma added that the Philippine government is closely coordinating with other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regarding the confederation’s efforts to come up with a legally binding Code of Conduct.

“The legal aspects of our petition before the UN Arbitral Tribunal are still being carefully studied,” Coloma said.

Coloma, however, acknowledged the rising tension in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea, in connection to China’s reclamation activities.

On Thursday, CNN reported that a US surveillance plane monitoring Chinese activities in the contested areas was ordered out of the airspace by the Chinese Navy.

READ: ‘Go away,’ China tells US spy plane in West PH Sea –report

While saying that the media reports still have to be verified, Coloma said freedom of aviation, aside from freedom of navigation, must also be observed in the West Philippine Sea.

“The water and the airspace are both being used as passageways in the flow of trade and commerce in the region,” Coloma argued.

“Our position on the importance of freedom of navigation and of aviation stands firm. It was not affected by recent events,” he added.

Recent satellite images showed that artificial islands, fortified seawalls, and other structures are being built in the Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) and Panganiban (Mischief) Reefs. The CNN report also said Kagitingan reef had military barracks, a lookout tower, and long runway, in addition to the early warning radar station. AU