PH wants what’s best for all SCS claimants: Palace

Panelo, however, belittled Shanahan’s remark, saying that despite its commitment, the US has done nothing but “posture” itself in the South China Sea. (PTV Photo via PNA)

MANILA — The Philippines doesn’t want any trouble in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and only wants what’s best for all its claimants, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this reaction after Chinese Minister of National Defense, Gen.

Wei Fenghe, in an international security forum in Singapore, said China has every right to build defense facilities on its claimed territories in the contested sea.

US Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, for his part, said it will no longer “tiptoe” around China’s behavior.

As a treaty ally, the US, earlier vowed to aid the Philippines in the event of an armed attack in the disputed waters.

Panelo, however, belittled Shanahan’s remark, saying that despite its commitment, the US has done nothing but “posture” itself in the South China Sea.

“They’ve been saying that but they’re not doing it.

 Puro posturing lang yung nangyayari sa kanila e (All they’re doing is posturing),” Panelo said.

Asked if Palace would have wanted the US to be more aggressive towards China, Panelo said all the Philippines wants is “stability” in the SCS.

According to Panelo, the Philippine position is that “every country has a right to use the waters in the South China Sea.”

“We want peace and quiet in that area. So anything that will provide such kind of atmosphere, we are for it,” Panelo said.

“If the presence of the US will make it so, then that’s good for all of the claimants,” he added.

Despite the Chinese defense minister’s statement, Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte has maintained his position that Philippines owns parts of the South China Sea.

However, he said the Philippines would rather just watch rather than join tensions between China and the US.

“Well, as I said we will leave it to them kung ano ang gusto nila gawin. Basta tayo, kung anong makakabuti doon sa lahat ng mga claimants, doon tayo (to do whatever they want to do. But us, we’re for whatever’s best for all claimants),” Panelo said.

“Basta ayaw natin ng gulo doon (We don’t want any trouble). We will let the giants do their thing. Sila naman nagko-control, tayo nanood lang (They’re the ones who control, we just watch),” he added.