PH ready to protect oil interest in disputed territories – DFA

From the Manila Times (Dec 5): PH ready to protect oil interest in disputed territories – DFA

The Philippines on Tuesday said that it is prepared to protect its oil interest in the West Philippine Sea (WPS or South China Sea) amid reports that China is poised to explore economic resources in the region to meet the rising demands of its people. Raul Hernandez, Foreign Affairs spokesman, said that the Philippines is capable of securing its national territory and protect its maritime resources. “Our Constitution mandates the state to secure the integrity of our national territory and protect the nation’s resources in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone,” Hernandez said. “We have been upgrading our capabilities and endeavoring to build a minimum credible defense position,” he added.

The Philippines acquired last year a Hamilton-class cutter from the United States Coast Guard.
Called the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, it is the country’s largest warship. A second warship will be arriving in the country by February or March next year. The ships were acquired under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty signed between the Philippines and the United States.

Hernandez’s statement came following reports that China aims to produce 15 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from the contested waters by 2015. The WPS, a resource-rich region, is being claimed in whole by China and in part by the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. The National Energy Administration said that in its 2011-2015 five-year plan that the WSP would “form the main part” of the country’s offshore gas exploration plans.....

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