Malacanang acknowledges U.S. Senate Resolution that promotes peaceful settlement of maritime disputes

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 13): Malacanang acknowledges U.S. Senate Resolution that promotes peaceful settlement of maritime disputes
 
Malacanang acknowledged on Sunday the United States Senate Resolution No. 412 that promotes peaceful settlement of international territorial and maritime disputes in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a press briefing over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters that the Palace welcomes this U.S. Senate Resolution.

The U.S. Senate Resolution No. 412 is entitled “Reaffirming the strong support of the United States Government for the freedom of navigation and other internationally lawful uses of sea and airspace in the Asia-Pacific region, and for the peaceful diplomatic resolution of outstanding territorial and maritime claims and disputes.”

Coloma said the Palace noted the U.S. Senate Resolution acknowledges the Philippines’ effort to resolve the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea in a peaceful manner.

The U.S. Senate Resolution No. 412 states “the Republic of the Philippines properly exercised its rights to peaceful settlement mechanisms with the filing of arbitration case under Article 287 and Article VII of the Convention of the Law of the Sea in order to achieve a peaceful and durable solution to the dispute.”

Manila and Beijing have a long-standing maritime dispute over islands, shoals, and reefs in the West Philippine Sea.

On March 30, the Philippines filed a memorial at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) against China.

“This Resolution affirms the long-standing strategic partnership between the Philippines and the United States that is highlighted by the recent signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement,” said Coloma.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=662142