Malacañang: PH seeks int'l support - Solar News PH

By Ina Andolong

The country's claim over the West Philippine Sea is not solely dependent on the decision that will be made by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or ITLOS.

Malacañang clarifies that the government's arbitration case against China is not the only avenue to assert its territorial claims.

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said: "I don't think it is accurate for anyone to characterize our strategy as putting our eggs in just one basket, because we have been active in all the fora where we had the opportunity to present our position."

Sec. Coloma adds the country has been also been advocating the drafting of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea every chance it gets in the international community.

This becomes apparent when President Aquino attends international summits like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and emphasizes his position that freedom of navigation in the region should be secured, and that having a clear set of rules is a must.

Coloma says there are other international bodies providing support, "So we will just continue to rely on expressions, manifestations and demonstrations of international solidarity."

The United States, for one, has criticized China for the incident involving its ships at the Ayungin Shoal, where a civilian ship replenished supplies and rotated personnel deployed in the area.

The US State Department says the harassment by the Chinese Coast Guard is a "provocative and destabilizing action" that "raises tensions and is inconsistent with the important principle of freedom of navigation."

President Aquino and US President Barack Obama, who is set to visit the Manila later this month, are expected to discuss territorial disputes in the region.

President Obama's visit comes in time for the signing of the two countries' framework agreement that will increase the rotational presence of American troops in the Philippines.

The Palace insists that the agreement, as well as other military arrangements with the US, do not aim to bolster the government's confidence is dealing with China.

Coloma adds: "It is up for other countries to interpret the actions that we take; and the actions that we take are dictated by our own national interest and not in response to what other countries want to see or want to happen."

The Philippines is confident it has a strong case before ITLOS.

Coloma says "right is might."

The fate of the arbitration case, however, is uncertain, with China ruling out participation in the proceedings.

But as the Palace says, that won't be the end all and be all of efforts to assert the country's sovereignty.

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