Philippines confirming reports US to sail warships in disputed sea

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government is confirming reports that the United States will sail warships near China's artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea.

"[The Department of] Foreign Affairs is currently undertaking to validate that said statement with the US side before we issue any comment considering how sensitive the situation is," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in press briefing this noon.

Philstar.com sought Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose's reaction, but he has yet to respond.

On Thursday, the Financial Times and the Navy Times reported that the US will sail its warships in the disputed sea within the next two weeks to signal that its does not recognize China's territorial claims over the area, media reports said.

The reports said the American warships will sail within the 12-nautical-mile zones that China claims as territory around some of the islands it has constructed in the Spratlys.

In a news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China was paying attention to such reports, and that it has maintained "extremely thorough communication" with the US regarding the sea dispute.

"I believe the US side is extremely clear about China’s relevant principled stance," she said. "We hope the US side can objectively and fairly view the current situation in the South China Sea, and with China, genuinely play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea."

The US is the longtime defense treaty ally of the Philippines, which has filed an arbitration case before an international tribunal questioning China's so-called nine-dash line territorial claim.

Manila has also filed several diplomatic protests against Beijing's massive island-building activities on contested islets and reefs.

Washington has insisted that it does not side with any party involved in the sea dispute. But last year, it forged an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Manila during President Barack Obama's state visit here.

Obama said the US has an "ironclad" commitment to defend the Philippines but its goal is not to contain China.

Last week, Brig Gen. Paul Kennedy, chief of the US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, said the US will respond "within a matter of hours" if the Philippines' sovereignty would be challenged.