PNoy, Obama to discuss China, defense issues

MANILA, Philippines -The country's defense issues and territorial dispute with China will certainly be discussed by President Benigno Aquino III and United States President Barack Obama when the latter visits Manila this month, Malacañang said Tuesday.

"Defense and security will definitely be a topic in the talks between President Aquino and President Obama. And when you talk of this topic, the most relevant issue that can be discussed would be the West Philippine Sea. So, it is entirely within the realm of possibility," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.

But the two leaders will also take up other issues since the nations are involved in a strategic partnership, Coloma said.

While tensions on the contested South China Sea continue to rise, the Philippines and the US have yet to complete an agreement that will increase the rotational presence of the American forces here.

Malacañang earlier said it will just let China interpret the negotiations between the Philippines and the US.

Manila and Beijing have overlapping claims in the South China Sea. On Sunday, the former filed a memorial at the international arbitral tribunal, presenting evidence and arguments on its claim on the disputed waters.

In a recent statement, the US State Department recently issued called China’s act of blocking a Philippine supply ship in Ayungin Shoal as "provocative."

Despite these remarks, the US government had said it does not take sides on the conflicting claims among countries in the South China Sea. But it also said that freedom of navigation should be ensured in the contested territory.

Coloma said the Philippines is looking at other avenues to resolve the territorial dispute peacefully, such as pushing for a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"We continue to engage our fellow ASEAN members, both bilaterally and multilaterally, that there must be an ASEAN centric approach, considering that there are overlapping expanded economic zones in the claims of the various member countries," Coloma said.

"So we just continue our policy of peaceful and diplomatic engagement," he added.