Palace defends legal tack in sea row - Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs

MANILA, Philippines – There is nothing weak about taking the legal and diplomatic approach to push for the country’s claims in the disputed West Philippine Sea, Malacañang maintained yesterday.

On Friday, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares led a rally in front of the Chinese consulate in Makati City to protest China’s massive reclamation activities in the Spratly island group to fortify its presence in the disputed waters.

Colmenares also criticized the Philippine government for supposedly not doing enough to defend the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, thus emboldening China.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, however, said Colmenares was aware that the administration has chosen the diplomatic and legal route to address the dispute.

“And I do not wish to assume what he means by stronger actions that we must do,” Valte said.

“In the course of the past few years, we have taken quite a strong stand on this particular issue…we assure everyone that we are pursuing all possible tracks – including diplomatic, including legal – to protect the interest of the country,” she said.