Palace on how to deal with China in territorial dispute: We'll stick to rules By Coconuts Manila June 22, 2015 / 05:49 PHT

Palace on how to deal with China in territorial dispute: We'll stick to rules

By Coconuts Manila June 22, 2015 / 05:49 PHT

Malacañang said the Philippine government will continue employing the rules-based approach in dealing with the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) issue despite the increase in number of Filipinos disapproving of Manila's handling of the maritime row.

In a radio interview, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. noted that the Philippines' approach to the issue is supported by the international community.

He said the Philippines will always adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Despite the waning support for the government's approach to the simmering dispute, Coloma said the government will continue to work on raising public awareness about the importance of tackling the dispute with China in a peaceful manner.

''Government will continue to intensify efforts in pursuing heightened citizen awareness that is essential in engaging their active participation in the peace process,'' Coloma said.

A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey said 46% of Filipinos said they somewhat or strongly disapprove of Manila's actions regarding the tension in the Scarborough Shoal, a portion of South China Sea that Beijing seized from Manila in 2012.

The disapproval score is much higher than the 27% and 32% recorded in the September 2013 and June 2014 surveys, respectively.

A Global Peace Index Report issued by the Institute for Economics and Peace, also reported that the Philippines ranked 141st out of 162 countries in the world.

The report attributed the slide in the ranking of the Philippines to the developments in the South China Sea and the internal conflicts between the government and rebel groups.

Coloma said the Philippines is also waiting for the result of the case it filed against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

The arbitration case seeks to invalidate China's massive claims in the South China Sea.

Coloma added the government is doing everything it can to uplift the lives of the affected fishermen who are now barred from entering what was once their traditional fishing grounds in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a statement reiterating the Philippine government's concern on China's land reclamations in the disputed sea.

''China's reclamation and construction activities grossly violate the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and may serve to escalate the disputes and undermine efforts to promote peace, security, and stability,'' the DFA said.

''These activities cause irreparable damage to the marine environment and marine biodiversity of the region."