The Philippines on Sunday, July 19, hailed what it considered as “growing” international support for its efforts to counter China’s claims to most of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). Palace Spokesman Secretary Herminio Coloma noted “additional voices” supporting the Philippine move for a peaceful resolution to the debate over the South China Sea after the US Pacific Fleet released photographs of its commander in a surveillance flight over the sea. Coloma also cited recent remarks by leading US senators such as John McCain, praising Philippine efforts to resolve the matter peacefully and calling on the United States to continue to maintain peace in the region. Tension has been rising between Manila and Beijing over the resource-rich sea. The Philippines earlier this month argued its case before a UN-backed tribunal in the Hague. China has refused to take part in the proceedings and called on the Philippines to agree to bilateral talks instead.
Read about Coloma’s statement on the “growing outcry” over the disputed territory.
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