Palace welcomes American senators’ support in WPS row

Malacanan Palace welcomes support of American senators in country’s effort to peacefully resolve West Philippine Sea row.

Sen. John McCain of the United States (Facebook)

MANILA — The Palace said on Sunday it is elated with the show of support from American senators, who praised the country for its effort to peacefully resolve the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

“Ikinagagalak po natin na lumalawak lalo ang hanay ng mga sumusuporta sa posisyon ng ating bansa,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

United States Senators John McCain, Jack Reed, Bob Corker and Ben Cardin released a statement supporting the Philippines’ decision to file a case before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea concerning China’s expansive claim to disputed maritime territories.

In a statement, the four US senators said, “Although the United States does not take a position on the competing claims, we applaud Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and his government for his commitment to pursuing this legal course of action.

While China is constructing and militarizing new land features in the South China Sea and increasingly turning to coercion to achieve its goals, we are encouraged to see that Manila continues to make every effort to resolve these claims peacefully, consistent with international law, and through international arbitration mechanisms.”

The US senators also support “bolstering the maritime capabilities of South East Asian nations and conducting joint exercises and patrols.”

“It is also critical that the United States take the necessary steps to sustain a balance of power that will continue to uphold peace and stability throughout the region. Given the pace and scope of China’s military trajectory, we believe this will demand a sustained investment in our military presence in the Asia-Pacific region,” the US senators added.

Coloma said the US senators now join the list of those who support the Philippines’ effort to resolve the dispute peacefully.

“Sa ganyan pong pagpapahayag nina Senator McCain at Senators Jack Reed at Bob Corker at Senator Ben Cardin, dumarami po lalo ang hanay ng mga sumusuporta sa ating itinataguyod na mapayapang pagresolba ng mga usapin sa West Philippine Sea o South China Sea,” said Coloma.

The European Union, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan and Australia have shown their support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute following international law.