Phl to pursue arbitration amid China's call for bilateral talks - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - The government will proceed with the arbitration case on its maritime dispute with China, which has renewed calls for bilateral talks following the water cannon incident in the Panatag Shoal.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said this on Wednesday, adding that the Philippine government  preparing for the  submission of a memorial or written pleading that will serve as the country's formal statement regarding China's maritime claims.

"So essentially, the memorial is already being prepared. While I can tell you generally that it will contain the position of government when it comes to this, I cannot delve into specifics," Valte said at a televised press briefing.

"I think we have already made a solid case before the international community," the Palace official added.

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, filed a formal protest on Wednesday against China for reported incidents of harassment on Filipino fishermen in parts of the disputed West Philippine Sea.

The latest incident was on January 27, when Chinese Coast Guard vessels fired water cannons at Filipino fishermen to drive them away from the Scarborough Shoal, locally known as the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal. 

Read: Philippines protests China's water cannon incident in Panatag Shoal

But China simply rejected the protest and pressed anew its "indisputable sovereignty" over the disputed territories.

Malacañang said there was nothing new with China's statement.

"Essentially, it was a reiteration of the nine-dash line over the West Philippine Sea, as well as the adjacent waters," Valte said.

China is claiming virtually the entire South China Sea through its nine-dash line, prompting the Philippines to file an arbitration case before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The arbitral tribunal has asked the Philippines to submit its memorial or position paper on the sea dispute by March 30.