PH, Japan eye own VFA

China island-building

Mr. Aquino reiterated the Philippines’ right to assert its sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea, slamming China’s land reclamation around reefs in the Spratly archipelago and echoing statements Abe made at a joint news conference after their summit talks on Thursday.

The President said China’s activities undermined the Philippines’ efforts to settle the territorial dispute peacefully through arbitration proceedings in the United Nations.

“We are particularly gravely concerned by the land reclamation activities being undertaken in the West Philippine Sea. These activities prejudice and undermine the arbitration that the Philippines has initiated to settle the dispute in a manner compatible with international law,” Mr. Aquino said.

“It raises the specter of increasing militarization and threatens peace and stability in the region,” Mr. Aquino said. With reports from Frances Mangosing, Inquirer.net; AP, AFP

Originally posted: 5:59 PM | Friday, June 5th, 2015