Neil Jerome Morales
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines’ national security adviser said the country would continue to maintain and replenish its bases in the South China Sea without seeking permission from other countries.
The Philippines’ National Security Council said Saturday it reaffirmed its commitment to upholding sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Second Thomas Shoal.
“Our operations are conducted within our territorial waters and exclusive economic zone and will not be thwarted by foreign interference or intimidation,” said Eduardo Año, the presidential national security adviser.
Philippine officials made the statement in response to a Chinese suggestion that the Philippines must first notify Beijing about access.
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday it would allow the Philippines to transport supplies and evacuate personnel if it notified Beijing in advance.
Ano called the proposals “unreasonable, nonsensical and unacceptable.”
“We do not need and will not need China’s approval for any activities there,” he added.
But the Philippines remains open to dialogue and peaceful negotiations to resolve disputes across the South China Sea, the council said.
The Philippine coast guard on Friday accused China of obstructing efforts to evacuate Philippine soldiers who had fallen ill in the South China Sea.
It was the latest spat in a long-running territorial dispute with China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea, a transit point for more than $3 trillion in shipborne trade annually.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague found China’s claims had no legal basis, but Beijing rejected the decision.
(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Alexander Smith Editing)
