PH not intimidated by Chinese gunboat

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines won’t be intimidated by China’s dispatch of a gunboat to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, a Malacañang official said on Friday.

Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, said the dispute over the shoal involves not only the Philippines but the whole region.

“We will not be intimidated. The Philippines may be a small country but we have a principle that we are fighting for,” Carandang said in a text message to reporters. “This is not just for the Philippines but for the good of the whole region.”

Nonetheless, Carandang said, the Aquino government would continue to talk with Chinese authorities to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.