Love Peace, Philippines Refuses Show of Force in South China Sea

JAKARTA - The Philippines rejects the "use of force" regarding the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines does not want conflict and has agreed with China to reduce tensions in the contested waters.

"We don't want war," National Security Advisor Eduardo Ano told reporters in Manila as reported by Reuters, Friday, July 12.

Ano said efforts were being made to defuse tensions in the disputed waterway, where Manila and Beijing have accused each other of aggressive behavior involving their ships and damaging the marine environment.

At the heart of the recent conflict is the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines has a rusting warship that was deliberately sunk in 1999 to strengthen its maritime claims.

The Philippines regularly sends supply missions to troops stationed there.

Last month, Manila accused the Chinese Coast Guard of deliberately ramming a naval vessel and confiscating weapons to disrupt a military supply mission, injuring a Filipino sailor who lost a finger.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the shallow waters of Second Thomas Shoal.

China rejected a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016 that said Beijing's sweeping claims had no basis under international law. This case was brought to court by the Philippines.

“We reject any attempt to deny our strategic institutions, especially by using force that seeks to coerce and subjugate Philippine national interests,” Ano said separately at a forum marking the eighth anniversary of the Hague decision.

Ano said the way forward is to defend the 2016 award and oppose efforts to undermine the award's significance.

“This is not and will never be just a piece of paper,” he said, alluding to how former president Rodrigo Duterte described the award as he sought closer ties with Beijing.

China insists its actions in the South China Sea are legal and professional.

Ano reiterated the Philippines is "committed to the cause of peace". "We are committed to addressing and managing difficult issues through dialogue and diplomacy," he said.

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country was still very concerned about China's actions in disputed waters.

“We continue to call on the PRC (People's Republic of China) to comply with the 2016 arbitration decision, to stop its dangerous and destabilizing actions,” Blinken said.