Government will remain committed to resolving territorial spat with China diplomatically, says official

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10): Government will remain committed to resolving territorial spat with China diplomatically, says official

Malacanang said it remains committed to resolving the dispute in the West Philippines Sea despite the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US and other regional developments, a Palace official said on Saturday.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte was asked about the country's determination regarding the issue after it filed a case in the international arbitral tribunal.

As the Philippines and the US signed the EDCA in addition to the planned integration of the ASEAN next year, there are doubts that the government will no longer prioritize its case in the international tribunal.

"Magkakahiwalay na mga inisyatiba ‘yon. At ‘yung pagpirma ng EDCA, pati ang nalalapit na ASEAN integration in 2015, walang kinalaman doon sa ating mga kasong isinampa sa arbitral tribunal," Valte said in the interview.

The palace official also said there will be no changes in the planned modernization of the armed forces despite the signing of EDCA. She said the modernization budget will remain the same although the government forged a stronger military tie up with the US.

"Kahit wala ang EDCA nakaplano na ‘yan. Even without the negotiations for the EDCA, the main program really of the administration is the AFP modernization plan. That includes procurement of equipment, and capacity-building for our soldiers," she said.

Apart from the acquisition of helicopters, Hamilton class cutters and combat planes, Valte said there is still a need to upgrade the hardware of the military.

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