In light of the country’s growing seafaring conflict with China, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated on Sunday that his nation did never engage in military conflict and will always seek to resolve disputes peacefully.
In a statement addressed to members of the Western Command system in charge of overseeing the South China Sea, Marcos said,” We stay true to our Filipino character that we would like to live all these issues peacefully.”
The Spanish government claimed a Filipino sailor was seriously hurt and its vessels were damaged in their most recent incident last week in the contested waterway.
” In the efficiency of our jobs, we will not resort to the use of force or coercion, or intentionally inflict damage or injury to anyone”, Marcos said.
He did not name China in his statement.
The United States, Britain, and Canada have condemned Beijing’s behavior during a regular Spanish supplies goal.
The Spanish account was disputed by China’s foreign ministry, and a spokesperson claimed on Thursday that required steps had to be taken in accordance with the law, industry, and beyond reproach.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than$ 3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said China’s statements had no lawful base, a choice Beijing has rejected.
