The Philippine government is standing firm on diplomacy despite a US military official’s statement that China is preparing to use military force in disputed areas in the South China Sea.
At a press briefing on Friday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Philippines is determined to settle its territorial dispute with China through international arbitration.
“Hindi natitinag ang posisyon ng ating pamahalaan hinggil sa pangangailangan na pairalin ang isang rules-based approach sa pagharap sa mga usapin sa West Philippine Sea o South China Sea,” Coloma told reporters in Malacañang.
The Palace official was reacting to a statement made by US Navy Captain James Fanell, the outgoing intelligence chief of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet, that China “has been and continues to prepare to use military force” in the South China Sea.
The Philippines and China have been engaged in a territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea , which Manila calls the “West Philippine Sea,” over the past years.
The Philippines claims that the disputed territories are part of its exclusive economic zone under the international law. China, meanwhile, is asserting its historical claim over the area through the “nine-dash line.”
