Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines remains committed to a peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Sunday, Sept. 29.
During the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Manalo raised the “irresponsible and dangerous” actions against the Philippines inside its exclusive economic zone.
“We will abide by the UN Charter and the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Resolution of Disputes in asserting our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea,” Manalo said.
“We do not accept narratives depicting the South China Sea as a theater of major power rivalry because they all ignore what is an essential truth: all states in this region have a right to determine their own destiny and secure their own future,” he added.
Pursuant to a 2016 Arbitral Award, Manila has rights over the West Philippine Sea, which is a part of the South China Sea. Beijing, however, does not recognize the ruling and continues to encroach in Philippine waters.
Manalo stressed the force and threat of force in resolving contentions “has no place in our world.”
The foreign affairs chief urged UN member states to abide by the rule of law for multilateralism to thrive.
