PHL urges China not to resort to threat, force to settle WPS dispute

The Philippine government continues to urge China to refrain from the threat or use of force towards Filipino fishermen in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). (Photo: Yosomono/ Flickr)

MANILA—The Philippine government continues to urge China to refrain from the threat or use of force towards Filipino fishermen in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

This, even as the Chinese side has informed the Philippines that investigations did not reveal any reported harassment incidents.

“We have asked them to continue the investigations and to share the results with Philippine authorities,” said acting Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Robespierre Bolivar in a statement.

It was reported that Chinese coast guard had harassed Filipino fishermen near the Union Bank in the West Philippine Sea last March.

Several countries have made competing claims over parts or all of South China Sea, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.