The Philippines cranked up its campaign to seek a diplomatic solution to the escalating tensions triggered by repeated Chinese incursions in disputed territory in the Spratly Islands with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario urging member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to adopt a common position on the issue and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. saying he would take up the matter with Chinese counterparts when he visits there next week.
“As members of the ASEAN which is building the ASEAN Community, one should be able to share issues with one another and share practical solutions. In the case of the West Philippine Sea, we have proposed a rules-based regime in the area, and that claims should be based on and validated by international law,” del Rosario told a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday afternoon with the nine ASEAN ambassadors and charge d’affaires to Manila. [ FULL STORY ]
