United States has right to navigate disputed seas – Palace

MANILA, Philippines – The United States has the right to exercise freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, Malacañang said yesterday in reaction to the US military’s plan to sail and fly wherever international law allows, including the disputed waters.

“For one, we are not in a position to dictate what another country wishes to do on a particular situation. But, again, we wish to emphasize that freedom of navigation and regional stability in that area is important because a good bulk of world trade passes through that region,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB.

“...and it is important that parties are free to pass through without any intimidation or harassment because there are laws that we follow or guidelines based on international law when it comes to international waters,” Valte said.

In a rebuff to China, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said America and Australia agreed to expand defense cooperation and expressed “strong concerns” over Beijing’s island building activities in disputed waters.

Carter spoke after a two-day meeting between and Australian foreign and defense ministers on Oct. 14 in Boston.

“Make no mistake, the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, as we do around the world, and the South China Sea will not be an exception,” Carter was quoted in reports as saying.

“We will do that in the time and places of our choosing,” Carter added.

China stepped up creation of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea last year, drawing strong criticism from Washington.

Beijing denies militarizing the West Philippine Sea, saying construction work is mostly for civilian purposes.

It also warned against intrusions – done in the name of freedom of navigation – into what it claims is part of its territorial waters.

The US says that under international law, artificial islands built over previously submerged reefs cannot be used as territorial limit by any country. – With Jaime Laude, Pia Lee Brago