Friday, August 22, 2014

Government will not waver in West Philippine Sea claims, Palace official says

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 23): Government will not waver in West Philippine Sea claims, Palace official says

The Philippine government will continue to push for its claim in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and will use all diplomatic ways to resolve its dispute with China, a Palace official said.

"The Philippine government will not cease in filing and availing of the legal and diplomatic means in resolving this dispute. We have filed a diplomatic protest," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in an interview in Malacañang on Friday.

"It is not a question of whether they will heed the diplomatic protest. What is important is that the Philippine government continues to assert its right against its neighbors," Secretary Lacierda said, noting that the Philippines has availed of diplomatic and arbitration channels in resolving its dispute with China.

Asked if the country is open to bilateral negotiations with China, he said, “It makes no sense for us to negotiate bilaterally if the claimants to those disputed seas or waters would comprise more than two claimant-countries.”

He said the government is very cognizant of the situation in the West Philippine Sea and it will take measures to ensure the safety of Filipinos in the area.

Lacierda however said that while the dispute with China remains unresolved, the Philippines is still interested in dealing with the Asian giant, especially in terms of trade.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781408716240

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