Palace: Reed Bank not subject to negotiation

MANILA, Philippines – The Palace clarified today that the Reed Bank area is not part of the disputed territories in the Kalayaan Group of Islands, often referred as Spratly Islands, as it is within the territorial boundaries of the Philippines.

In a statement issued early today, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda pointed out that Reed Bank is not part of the disputed Spratlys but to the Western Palawan section.

“It has always been an integral part of our national territory, and not subject to negotiation,” Lacierda pointed out.

The Palace issued the statement after reports came out that the government has suspended the conduct of seismic undertakings in Reed Bank, pending resolutions from among the claimants of the area, including Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China.

The Palace official noted that the Philippine’s recent action was aimed at advocating multilateral approach in settling disputes in the region.

“The cornerstone of President Benigno Aquino III's foreign policy is our aspiration to be a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities,” he added.

He noted that the Philippines has repeatedly and consistently asked concerned nations to observe and uphold the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, which is the country’s contribution in making the conflict zones as an “area of cooperation”.

Under the Aquino administration, he said the Department of Energy wanted to thoroughly review any propose undertaking in the area to ensure that it will adhere to the Philippine’s “preferred mode for resolving the existing claims in the areas.”

Lacierda also noted that Aquino would discuss the issue with China’s defense minister Liang Guanglie, who is scheduled to pay a visit to the President today.

“The President looks forward to amicable and thorough discussion on points of mutual interest,” he said, while pointing out that the government will minimize issues that will further raise tension and disagreement on the matter.

“The Philippines considers China a partner in achieving prosperity for the region and we are keen to explore areas for commercial cooperation in a spirit of mutual respect and sovereign dignity,” Lacierda added.

Meanwhile, Chinese and Philippine defense chiefs warned rival claimants today to avoid unilateral action and focus on responsible behavior in disputed South China Sea islands.

Liang and his Philippine counterpart, Voltaire Gazmin, acknowledged in a joint statement the need to ensure that the South China Sea remains stable and called for “responsible behavior” while claimant nations seek a peaceful solution.

Liang's four-day visit comes amid renewed tensions in the disputed Spratly Islands, which are contested by China, the Philippines and four other nations.

“Unilateral actions which could cause alarm should be avoided,” the defense ministers said in the statement.

Gazmin said they discussed the May 11 sighting of two unidentified foreign fighter jets near an island occupied by Filipino troops that drew Philippine government concerns. Two Philippine patrol planes failed to identify the jets, which were at a higher altitude but made no hostile moves.

Liang, according to Gazmin, mentioned that Philippine media accounts identified the two aircraft as Russian-made MIG fighter jets and clarified that China has no MIG planes in its air force.

The discussions did not touch on a March 2 incident in which the Philippine government accused two Chinese patrol boats of harassing a Filipino oil exploration ship into leaving a vast area called the Reed Bank.

Gazmin said he and Liang agreed that any conflict "should be settled amicably by opening the lines of communication, dialogues and sitting down and talking to each other." (With AP)