MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario on Monday delivered a lecture on the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) dispute before grade 7 and fourth year high school students of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School.
Del Rosario said it is important to preserve freedom of navigation in the South China Sea where 40 to 60 percent of world trade passes.
“Now we go back to our question, what is the extent of Philippine territory? It is the Philippine archipelago, other lands or islands which we own and govern, such as the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Group of Islands) and Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal), and also include our maritime zones that we just discussed. All these comprise Philippine territory,†he said.
Del Rosario added that China’s expansive nine-dash line claim has no basis in international law and that President Benigno S. Aquino III wants to to pursue a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
“We are, in fact, committed to undertake all that is possible to cultivate positive relations with China in spite of this issue in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea,†he said.
The lecture was a project of the DLZS Grade School Student Representative Coordinating Council.