MANILA, Philippines – Amid the growing maritime conflicts with
regional giant China, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday
the Aquino administration would prioritize to guarantee the peace in the west
Philippines sea before its remaining two years end.
Aquino administration will try to get all the concerned parties,
including the China itself, to agree with a suspension on activities such as
base building, repossession and gas exploration that could possibly increase
tension in the South China Sea in the upcoming years.
The DFA recorded Aquino’s
achievements in 2013 as well as its
priorities for the remaining two years of his terms.
The DFA also said in a nine-page pre-Sona report that for the
remainder of Aquino’s terms the DFA will
pursue an honest mandate to preserve and enhance national security, work en
route for comprehensive progress and development and secure the welfare and
interests of OFWs while maintaining the values of good authority.
It also mentioned disputes
in the South China Sea “continue to pose serious challenges to national
sovereignty and integrity.” Most precisely, the DFA will concentrate on its intercession case against
China.
On March 30, the DFA
submitted a memorial to the arbitral tribunal, which gave China until Dec. 15 to
present its counter memorial where China has declined to take part in the
arbitration measures. DFA hopes that Cihina’s non-participation will rush the
arbitration measures.
China
was found to be initiating retrieval activities in some disputed areas
including that of the Philippines and Vietnam, hence Foreign Affairs Secretary
Albert Del Rosario called for a moratorium regarding the action.
