Palace: Main goal is to prove PHL claims on WPS in accord with laws

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 10): Palace: Main goal is to prove PHL claims on WPS in accord with laws

The Philippine government’s main goal is to prove that its claims on parts of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is in accordance with binding laws, Malacanang said Thursday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. raised the issue following a statement made by Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan saying the Philippines is “a nation that’s been disguising itself as a victim.”

Chang also said that the Philippines should not test China’s resolve to safeguard its national sovereignty since its military could easily be assembled to fight and win any battle.

“Ang ating pangunahing layunin ay patunayan na ‘yung ating sinasabing atin na bahagi ng West Philippine Sea ay batay sa umiiral na batas,” Coloma said in a Palace media briefing, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He explained that it is not only the Philippines that referred territorial disputes to the UNCLOS for maritime entitlements but other countries as well.

“Kaya hindi rin naman ang pangunahing layunin natin dito ay pasunurin ang isang bansa o ibang mga bansa, ngunit para ipakita sa buong mundo ‘yung katwiran at katarungan ng ating posisyon,” he said.

Coloma noted that President Benigno S. Aquino III himself said the Philippine government has no intention to insult China by filing an arbitration with the UN body whose only aim is to achieve peaceful means of resolving the sea dispute.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=634323