DND chief: All PH operations in maritime territories ‘rules-based’

FILE: Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Photo: Department of National Defense – Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – All operations being carried out by the country in its maritime territories, including those of the West Philippine Sea, are rules-based, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. said Monday.

“We are merely asserting our rights which the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and relevant Philippine laws secure to us and these operations are done within areas where the Philippine government has every right to operate,” Teodoro said on the sidelines of the dedication ceremony of Basa Air Base’s newly-rehabilitated runway in Floridablanca, Pampanga.

The DND chief said Manila is not looking for conflict by asserting these rights.

Teodoro was referring to ongoing efforts to resupply its detachments and sovereignty patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

“And that is simply what we are doing and in such a case not only the United States but other governments have chimed in the chorus in support of the Philippine government, the reason is simple that the Philippine government’s operations are based on rules-based international order, international law and the UNCLOS so I think that we are asserting the same thing and that is the predicate on which not only the United States but several other countries operate with us in this area,” he added.

Teodoro earlier said the Philippines would continue with its operations to uphold sovereignty in the WPS in a “balanced” manner in anticipation of increasing harassment from China.

He said any activity in the WPS, including the next resupply missions, would be crafted carefully to avoid increasing tensions or conflict and stressed that these would be done to uphold the best interest of the country.