Philippines unfazed by China's rejection of sea moratorium

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is unperturbed by China's rejection of the proposed freeze on provocative activities in the disputed South China Sea, Malacañang said Tuesday.

"Hindi tayo natitinag kung anuman ang pagtanggi na gagawin dito dahil naniniwala tayo na makatuwiran ang ating posisyon," Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a televised press briefing.

In the upcoming ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Myanmar, the Philippines is set to pursue its proposal of a moratorium on construction efforts and other activities that may increase tensions in the contested territories.

This move comes as ASEAN members continue to work on a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, while the Philippines awaits the decision on the arbitration case it filed against China.

In these three mechanisms to de-escalate maritime tensions, Coloma said the Philippines has gained the support of various countries, including those outside the region.

"Sa patuloy nating pagtahak sa landas ng kapayapaan at diplomasya, umaani tayo ng suporta sa mga bansang naniniwala sa ating posisyon na batay sa maktuwiran at makatarungang pagtukoy sa mga usaping ito," Coloma said.

Read: 3 ASEAN members support moratorium in South China Sea - DFA

China has said that it opposes the arbitration case filed by the Philippines and its call for a moratorium, insisting that the maritime issues between the two nations should be resolved ina bilateral basis.

The Asian giant has reportedly said that it could build anything in the disputed areas.

It has also rejected the diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines against Chinese land reclamation activities in some contested reefs in the Spratlys.