China naval drill unthreatening — PH

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 2): China naval drill unthreatening — PH

Malacañang said yesterday it is not threatened with China’s naval exercises near the West Philippine Sea as long as they are conducted in international waters.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte allayed fears that the naval exercises conducted by China will reach Philippine territory

Valte said the naval exercises are being done in the Bashi Channel, which is not part of the Philippines.

The Bashi Channel is the body of water that separates the Philippines and Taiwan.

 “I understand that last week, there were certain naval exercises made by the Chinese Navy and that was in the Bashi Channel, which I understand to be part of the high-sea (training),” Valte said.

“As long as andun sila, wala naman tayong problema (As long as they are there, we don’t see any problem) because as long as they are in international waters and as we have said earlier, as long as our maritime zones are respected then wala naman tayong problema doon (we don’t see any problem with that),” she said.

The military drills involved China’s modern ships.

It will be recalled that the Philippine government has brought the territorial dispute on the West Philippine Sea before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), a move which was rejected by China.

The Palace however expressed optimism that the Philippines was able to file a good case before the international tribunal, which will be the “great equalizer” on the territorial dispute.

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