DND denies report PHL is escalating tensions in West Philippine Sea

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 11): DND denies report PHL is escalating tensions in West Philippine Sea

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday denied claims that it is escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea by comparing China with then Nazi Germany in its assertiveness in claiming territories out of its own borders during 1938.

"We believe that the Philippines’ defense and military establishments have exercised maximum restraint with respect to the situation in the West Philippine Sea," the DND said in a statement.

It made this claim after US Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle said that comments made by President Benigno Aquino III comparing China to Nazi Germany is not helpful to the stability in the region.

"Based on the previous occurrences, it is clear that the Philippines has been the object of harassment," the DND stressed.

"We must understand the statement of President Benigno S. Aquino III in light of the Philippine government’s call to the international community to oppose aggressive acts as they contravene established international conventions," it pointed out.

"We believe that in opposing aggressive and expansionist behavior, the Philippines is not only serving its national interests, but also serving the region’s as well, including all states which have a stake in freedom of navigation and clear territorial rights as defined under the principles of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," it concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=614846