DND unfazed by China’s threat against RP, Japan

From the Daily Tribune (Apr 11): DND unfazed by China’s threat against RP, Japan

The Department of National Defense (DND) yesterday called on China to be “circumspect” in issuing statements regarding the disputed West Philippine Sea where tensions have been high between the Philippines and Beijing during the past months.

In an interview by Camp Aguinaldo reporters, DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said that the department, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), will continue to perform its mandate.

“We will continue to work within our mandate,” Galvez said.

“To defend our country and, of course, to approach this peacefully as we have mentioned before,” Galvez said.

At the same time, the DND is “unfazed” over China’s warning against the Philippines and Japan not to test Beijing’s resolve in safeguarding its claimed territory.

“I believe that statements such as those, they should be circumspect regarding the giving of statement,” he said.

Galvez reiterated the Philippines will continue to pursue peaceful means, like the arbitration.

“We continue to reiterate regarding what has been agreed by the community of nations as written in UNCLoS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), other international instrumentality regarding Philippine territory,” Galvez said.

Reports said that Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan has warned the Philippines and Japan not to test China’s resolve to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

Chang stressed the Chinese military can be assembled quickly to fight and win any battle.

Chang said territorial sovereignty was a core Chinese interest on which “we will make no compromise, no concession, no trading.”

Tensions between the Philippines and China have been high, particularly in Ayungin Shoal in Palawan where Chinese guard ships have harassed re-provision mission of the AFP for the Marine troops stationed at the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/dnd-unfazed-by-china-s-threat-against-rp-japan