A US fleet commander pressed on Wednesday for a compromise between rival countries over disputed territories in the South China Sea.
Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of the US Pacific Command, said in a visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that the US will not tolerate any of the claimants that include China and the Philippines to seize control of the islands.
"We will oppose the change of status quo by force by anyone," Locklear said, without mentioning any specific country.
Whether or not the claim is based on international laws such as the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which the Philippines has been citing, Locklear added the US aims to resolve through a "code of conduct" to potentially solve the issue "peacefully."
Chinese Major General Zhang Zhaozhong, however, has said in a television interview that China's navy has been preparing to surround Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal with warships and fishing vessels to secure their fisherman's activities in the area.
Related story: Chinese general reveals 'strategy' for Panatag takeover
Similarly, President Benigno Aquino III said in a speech before the Philippine Navy that the Philippines will defend the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
"Our message to the world is clear: what is ours is ours, and we will repel any and all attempts to claim what is ours, and defend ourselves against any form of aggression," he said.
On Wednesday, a Filipino military official said that other Chinese-owned vessels breached the Philippine borders near Ayungin Shoal, a disputed area, off Palawan Island.
Related story: 3 more Chinese ships spotted at Ayungin Shoal
Locklear, meanwhile, added that the US will not side with any nation staking its claim over the oil-rich territories in seeking the code of conduct, as this will set "boundaries" to maritime officials' activities.
He nevertheless said tensions were unlikely to escalate because the countries "understand this could be a long process, they understand restraint."
Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also expressed their interest in the territories.
Previously, the Philippines has sought the US' counsel in resolving the matter, while Beijing wanted to bilateral negotiations to resolve the issue. - With Eileen Ng, Associated Press