Philippine nationwide safety adviser Eduardo Ano says Manila will “struggle again” towards coercion within the South China Sea.
The Philippines will “keep its stance” in its dispute with China within the South China Sea, a senior safety official mentioned.
Manila and Beijing have been engaged in a sequence of escalating standoffs over the strategic waterway, with either side accusing the opposite’s ships of finishing up harmful maneuvers close to the disputed Second Thomas sandbank.
“We are going to proceed to face our floor and struggle towards coercion, interference, malign affect and different techniques that search to hazard our safety and stability,” Philippine nationwide safety adviser Eduardo Ano mentioned Friday at an occasion marking the anniversary of a global ruling on the dispute that sided with China.
Ano mentioned Manila rejects any use of drive that seeks to “coerce and subordinate the nationwide pursuits of the Philippines,” however is “dedicated to the reason for peace.”
“We’re dedicated to addressing and managing tough points by means of dialogue and diplomacy,” Ano mentioned.
China claims greater than 90 p.c of the South China Sea, together with waters that fall inside the unique financial zones of the Philippines and 4 different Southeast Asian international locations.
In 2016, a global tribunal in The Hague discovered that China’s claims had “no authorized foundation.”
Beijing has rejected the ruling, calling it “unlawful, null and void.”
The coast guards and navies of China and the Philippines have been concerned in quite a few confrontations within the disputed waters, together with an incident final month throughout which Chinese language coast guard personnel brandishing knives, golf equipment and an axe surrounded and boarded three Philippine Navy ships throughout a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal within the Spratly Islands.
The Philippines has been pushing for navy cooperation with america and its allies to counter China’s rising energy and affect within the area.
On Monday, Manila signed a protection pact that can enable Japan to deploy its troops on its territory.
The Philippines will proceed to “foster nearer ties with like-minded international locations,” Ano mentioned, and stays open to “frank dialogue based mostly on mutual respect and sincerity.”