Philippines calls for truce on Spratlys row

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines, which has been engaged in an ongoing spat with China over conflicting claims to the Spratlys Islands, on Friday called on all claimants to put a halt to “inflammatory statements”.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Philippines was “committed to dialogue with other claimants” after earlier accusations of Chinese intimidation in the South China Sea.

“We call on all parties to refrain from inflammatory statements that would make it more difficult to reach a mutually agreeable solution,” Lacierda said.

“It is better for the parties to talk away from the cameras so that we could have a peaceful dialogue,” he told reporters.

In the past two weeks, the Philippines has publicly accused Chinese forces of being behind seven confrontations with Filipinos in the Spratlys in less than four months.

However, Chinese ambassador Liu Jianchao said the reported incidents were mere “rumors” or exaggeration, even as he asserted China’s claim to the reputedly oil-rich Spratlys island chain.

The islands are claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Lacierda’s statements came before Vietnam announced it would conduct a live-fire drill in the South China Sea next week, raising tensions further.