SUMMARY

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino bishops rebuked China in a rare statement about the West Philippine Sea dispute, and said it is “morally permissible” to take refuge in “the friendship of allies” if diplomacy fails.

The statement, dated Thursday, February 8, but sent in advance to reporters over the weekend, was signed by six Roman Catholic bishops who serve in areas surrounded by the resource-rich West Philippine Sea – part of the South China Sea that belongs to the Philippines but is claimed by China.

Leading the signatories was Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, one of the country’s most prominent Catholic leaders.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay, Palawan, a politically outspoken bishop w…

Source:https://www.rappler.com/philippines/filipino-bishops-statement-china-west-philippine-sea-dispute/