Presidential bets: Diplomacy not war in disputed sea

MANILA, Philippines — All presidential aspirants on Sunday agreed to seek diplomatic means in solving the country's maritime dispute with China over the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Sen. Grace Poe and former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II all noted that the international community supports the Philippines in its arbitration case against China.

"Ang paniwala ng buong mundo sa atin talaga 'yang tubig na 'yan. Kaya 'wag nila tayo paandaran nang ganyan," Santiago said during the Luzon leg of the Commission on Elections-initiated presidential debate.

Poe said that the country should also strengthen its Coast Guard to protect the rights of Filipino fishermen.

"Hindi po personal aquarium ng mga Intsik ang West Philippine Sea. Atin 'yon at dapat hikayatin natin ang ating mga kakampi. Kung tunay silang kaibigan, tulungan nila tayo at 'wag natin isuko 'yun," Poe said.

Meanwhile, Duterte said that he will personally go to one of the islands in the disputed sea and plant the Philippine flag to stake the country's claim.

The Davao City mayor added that he is willing to risk his life to assert the country's claim over the disputed waters but clarified that he is not willing to go into war.

"I will ask the Navy to bring me to the nearest boundary d'yan sa Spratlys, bababa ako, sasakay ako ng jet ski, dala-dala ko yun flag ng Pilipino at pupunta ako doon sa airport nila tapos itanim ko then I would say 'This is ours,'" Duterte said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Poe and Roxas all vowed that they will provide assistance to fishermen while the country's arbitration case against China is ongoing.

The Philippines was the first nation to challenge China's nine-dash line claim over the South China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations. The international tribunal is expected to issue its ruling on the case by May.

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