Philippines mulls need for submarine forces amid sea row

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday admitted that the government is looking into forming a submarine force to strengthen maritime defense amid China's expansive claims over the South China Sea.

During an open forum at the Publish Asia Conference at the Manila Hotel, Aquino noted that the Philippines is practically losing its west coast due to China's nine-dash line claim.

"We might have to undergo various aspects of our own military capabilities that have never been part of our needs," Aquino said.

The president added that the country had invested in maritime domain awareness and accelerated the military's modernization program following Beijing's massive land reclamation activities in the region.

Aquino, however, clarified that the Philippines has no plans of taking up arms against China to resolve the rising tensions in the disputed waters.

"I think all claimant countries in the South China Sea recognize - and other countries that are adjacent that are not claimant countries - all recognize that war is a futile exercise... The Philippines, for instance, renounces war as an instrument of foreign policy," the president said.

The president stressed that the maritime disputes should be resolved based on international law through a rules-based approach.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations is expected to issue its final ruling on the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China in connection with the sea dispute.

Meanwhile, the United States said that the international community should urge China to abide by the upcoming ruling as it would result to further complications.

Beijing has repeatedly insisted that it will not participate in the proceedings of the arbitration, claiming that they have "indisputable sovereignty" over the South China Sea.

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