US envoy reiterates US support for peaceful end to PHL-China dispute

From GMA News (Jun 25): US envoy reiterates US support for peaceful end to PHL-China dispute

From United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg on Wednesday reiterated the US' support for a peaceful settlement to the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.

Goldberg, who was in Cebu City on Wednesday, stressed this in an interview on RGMA's Barangay 99.5 RT where he also supported the Philippines' efforts to bring the case before an international tribunal.

"What we’ve objected to is any unilateral action any cohesive action, intimidation," he said.

The Philippines and China have had a territorial dispute in a part of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), and has brought the case before an international arbitration body.

In Wednesday's interview with GMA News' Bobby Nalzaro, Goldberg also belied claims US military exercises with the Philippines were related to the South China Sea row.

He said the US had been conducting military exercises for 70 years with allies including the Philippines.

"It’s not (aimed at) any country per se, but it does ... show our determination to stay with our ally," he said of the military exercises.

Goldberg also expressed hopes questions about the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and US will be ironed out.

The envoy was in Cebu Wednesday to show support for the campaign for equal rights for the LGBT community in Cebu. GMA News (Jun 25): US envoy reiterates US support for peaceful end to PHL-China dispute.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/510190/news/nation/us-envoy-reiterates-us-support-for-peaceful-end-to-phl-china-dispute