President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a memento from PSG Commander Rear Admiral Raul Ubando, during the 30th founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group at the PSG Grandstand, Malacañang Park in Manila City on Tuesday (March 01). The PSG is the lead agency tasked in providing security to the President of the Philippines and the First Family, as well as to visiting Heads of States and diplomats. (MNS photo)
TAGBILARAN CITY (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III reiterated the position of the Philippines as regards to the territories in the South China Sea, parts of which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea, saying the disputed areas have long been ours.
Aquino made the statement during a campaign sortie here of the Liberal Party (LP)-led Daang Matuwid coalition Wednesday, wherein he criticized the proposals of presidentiables in dealing with the sea dispute.
“Mali rin ho siguro sa kanya na ako pinagtatanggol ko ang karapatan natin laban sa mga ibang bansa lalo na diyan sa West Philippine Sea. Sila naman kakausapin nila ‘yung ating mga katunggali,” said Aquino.
“Sabi ko: ‘Aba ang tagal ko naman na silang kinakausap e.’ Ang problema ko lang kapag kinausap ko sila nag-uumpisa kaagad na: ‘O lahat ito amin.’ E ano ho ang negosasyon natin kung iyon ang pananaw nila? ‘Lahat ito amin, kaya huwag kayong pumasok dito.’ Ika ko eh, ‘Pagkatagal-tagal na amin po ito e,’” Aquino added.
Aquino made the statement amid reports that China has seized a Philippine atoll near Palawan in the West Philippine Sea.
Eugenio Bito-onon Jr., the mayor of Pagasa Island in the disputed Spratly Islands, said China had deployed up to seven ships at the Quirino Atoll.
China has already confirmed sending vessels to the atoll to tow a grounded ship and that these vessels have since left the waters.
Aquino said the Philippines continues to uphold its territorial claims through arbitration.
“So pinaglaban natin. Nandun tayo sa arbitration, nandun tayo sa ASEAN,” he said.
The Philippines has filed a case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. (MNS)