Palace sees 'important progress' in South China Sea dispute

MANILA, Philippines — Following the recent statements from the United States and other allies, Malacañang said on Tuesday that the Philippines has achieved "important progress" in its territorial dispute with China.

Presidential Communication Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government recognizes the recent remarks of officials from the US, Australia, and Japan "affirming the importance of respecting the rule of law as the key to regional stability."

"We are encouraged by the supportive statements of our allies and other countries on the importance of seeking peaceful settlement of disputes, which is precisely the course of action we have chosen to adopt," Coloma said at a televised press briefing.

The Palace official also noted that in the previous Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, "most or almost all" of the countries in the region also expressed their support for a peaceful resolution of the territorial disputes.

He noted that the ASEAN foreign ministers issued a statement urging countries to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

"There was a time when that was not the situation and progressively, this has changed," Coloma said.

"We have seen important progress made in our advocacy and we continue to be encouraged by all of these developments," he added.

Coloma  has earlier defended US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel who said over the weekend that China is destabilizing the disputed waters. Australian Defense Minister David Johnston also shared the American official's view.

Read: Philippines defends US, Australia's remarks vs China

Coloma reiterated that the Philippines and other ASEAN members are pushing for the creation of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, which he said is an "important opportunity" for institutionalizing peace and stability in the region.

He said the stability in disputed South China Sea has strategic importance not only to regional but to global commerce and trade.

Coloma also said that the Philippines' arbitration case against China is part of the country's efforts to draw the attention of the global community to the sea disputes.

"We want to engage the active attention and participation of other countries that are signatories to that treaty. That is our way of calling the attention of the world," Coloma said.