Manila takes diplomatic stand vs China in sea feud

MANILA: The Philippine government is taking “appropriate diplomatic action” to protect its claims in the South China Sea but did not elaborate or name China in a nonconfrontational policy that immediately sparked criticism.

China landed long-range bombers on one of its occupied islands in the disputed sea for the first time last week, underscoring its ability to strike across Southeast Asia and beyond and setting off international concern. A Pentagon spokesman said late last week China’s “militarisation” of disputed areas destabilises the region.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs reiterated on Monday that the government is committed to protecting “every single inch’’ of its territory and areas where it has sovereign rights. But it added that its responses to certain developments might not be publicised.

“While appropriate language, whether expressions of condemnation or concern, over certain developments are clearly conveyed through diplomatic channels, it is not our policy to publicise every action taken by the Philippine government whenever there are reported developments taking place,’’ the department said.

“Moving forward, we are taking a different approach to avoid any drawbacks and challenges,” the statement added.

Asked to react about China’s deployment of the long-range bombers, presidential spokesman Harry Roque later told a news conference, “We express our serious concerns anew on its impact on constructive efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.”

Former Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, who spearheaded a legal challenge to China’s vast territorial claims in an international arbitration case that the Philippines largely won in 2016, urged Filipinos to ask President Rodrigo Duterte “to be more proactive and assertive in defending what is ours”.

“Why are we so timid in the face of China’s missile and bomber diplomacy?” asked former national security adviser Roilo Golez. “The world is watching and our response, hat in hand, is a vague ‘diplomatic action’.”

The long-range bombers involved in the recently reported exercise would have all of Southeast Asia in range. They reportedly landed on Woody Island, China’s largest base in the Paracel Islands.