MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte prefers a peaceful resolution to the issue on the presence of Chinese militia vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef, Palace said.
While the President is asserting the country’s rights over the maritime territory, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte sees no reason to use “force” against China.
“Ang position po ng Presidente sa isyu na ito, paninindigan natin ang karapatan pero hindi po ito isang bagay para tayo po ay gumamit ng dahas,” Roque said Monday.
“Malinaw po ang sinasabi ng Presidente, meron po tayong malapit na pagkakaibigan, hindi po dahilan itong mga fishing vessels para tayo po ay magka-giyera. We will resolve this peacefully,” he added.
It was March when reports surfaced that a total of 200 Chinese vessels believed to be “manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel” were spotted at the Jualian Felipe Reef which is inside the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone,
However, Chinese Embassy claimed the reef is a part of China’s of Nansha Qundao – one of two political districts in the South China Sea established by Chinese government in 2020.
The Department of Foreign Affairs rejected the claim and warned China that it risks facing a slew of diplomatic protests for every single day it fails to withdraw its vessels in the country’s waters.
In July 2016, the Hague-based court ruled in favor of the Philippines invalidating China’s claim over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. Beijing repeatedly refused to recognize the ruling./PN
