PHL rules out war in the resolution of Spratlys issue
By Faye P. Velasco
By Faye P. Velasco
MANILA, July 20 (PNA) -- The Philippines will protect its territorial sovereignty through peaceful means and will never resort to war in advancing its interest in the disputed Spratlys group of islands.
At the “Pilipinas Natin" forum of the Security, Justice and Peace Cabinet Cluster at Kalayaan Hall in Malacanang and aired lived over NBN Channel 4 and Radyo ng Bayan DZRB, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said the Philippines will have the means under international law and the United Nations Convention Law of the Seas, "as our weapon in advancing our national interest.”
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Government wants legally binding guideline for all Spratly claimants
MANILA, July 20 (PNA) -- The government will look for other venues to resolve the Spratly row if China continues to reject the Philippine proposal to bring the issue to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.
In the last series of the "Pilipinas Natin" Cabinet Cluster Forum on Security, Justice and Peace aired live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is looking at pursuing a legally binding declaration that will guide all the claimant countries in the West Philippine Sea.
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China, ASEAN members agree on guidelines for implementation of DOC in South China Sea
BALI, Indonesia, July 20 (PNA/Xinhua) -- China and the ASEAN members reached a series of important consensuses here on Wednesday on implementing the 2002 Declaration of the Conduct in the South China Sea (DOC), laying a solid foundation for practical cooperation in the area.
The agreements were made at a meeting of senior officials from China and ASEAN nations aimed at promoting the implementation of the DOC.
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AFP expresses full support to current peace talks
MANILA, July 20 (PNA) -- The military fully supports the ongoing peace negotiations with the communist insurgents as well as the Muslim separatists in Mindanao to achieve lasting peace in the country.
Navy Commodore Miguel Jose S. Rodriguez, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said during the "Pilipinas Natin" Cabinet Cluster Forum on Security, Justice and Peace on Wednesday that the soldiers are tired of the decades-long war and they want lasting peace soon.
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Gazmin assures citizenry of a corrupt-free Defense department
MANILA, July 20 (PNA) -- Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin assured the Filipino people of a corruption-free service from the Department of National Defense (DND) and the various agencies under it as he reaffirmed commitment to sustaining lasting peace, sovereignty and integrity of the country’s national territory through systemic reform efforts anchored on the goals of the Aquino administration.
In a statement during the fifth and last "Pilipinas Natin" Cabinet Cluster Forum on Security, Justice and Peace at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacanang on Wednesday, Gazmin bared the various steps being undertaken by the DND towards a more responsive and effective national defense agency.
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