MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr mentioned on Sunday his nation shouldn’t be within the enterprise of instigating wars and can at all times goal to settle disputes peacefully, amid escalating maritime confrontations with China.
“In defending the nation, we keep true to our Filipino nature that we wish to settle all these points peacefully,” Marcos mentioned in a speech to troops of the Western Command unit accountable for overseeing the South China Sea.
Philippine navy personnel and the Chinese language coast guard had their newest conflict final week within the disputed waterway, the place the Philippine army mentioned a Filipino sailor was severely injured and its vessels broken.
“Within the efficiency of our duties, we won’t resort to the usage of power or intimidation, or intentionally inflict damage or hurt to anybody,” Marcos mentioned.
He didn’t identify China in his speech.
Beijing’s actions throughout a routine Philippine resupply mission have been condemned by the US, Britain and Canada.
China’s overseas ministry disputed the Philippine account, with a spokesperson saying on Thursday that the required measures taken had been lawful, skilled and past reproach.
China claims virtually the complete South China Sea, a conduit for greater than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, together with elements claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
In 2016, the Everlasting Courtroom of Arbitration in The Hague mentioned China’s claims had no authorized foundation, a call Beijing has rejected.