China bombers in South China Sea not a threat for Duterte

Malacañang on Monday expressed concern on China's deployment of long-range bombers on an island in the disputed South China Sea even as it did not see the development as a threat to the Philippines' security at the moment.

Echoing the pronouncement of the Department of Foreign Affairs, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippine government is using diplomatic means to address the matter although he emphasized that Manila need not publicize its every response to Beijing's activities.

"Nonetheless we take note of the reports that appeared and we express our serious concerns anew on its impact on constructive efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region," Roque said.

He also cited the call of Southeast Asian leaders during their regional meeting in Singapore last month for "non-militarization and self-restraint" in the conduct of activities of claimants and other states in the strategic waterway.

Roque, however, said the government does not view as a security threat the landing last week of several bombers on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracel group being claimed by Vietnam and China.

"Even if we don’t feel that China is a security threat to us, for as long as there are weapons there, there could be mistakes in the discharge of these weapons," Roque said.

"And any threat of the use of force in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes, which happens also to be the sea lane where our oil supply passes through and bulk of our exports and imports pass through is a reason for concern to us."

Roque added it was up to President Rodrigo Duterte to heed the call of former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez to convene the National Security Council in order to assess how to handle the latest developments in the South China Sea.

"Right now the President does not see any immediate threat. As I said, we do not consider China to be a threat to our security right now because of our newfound friendship with China," the Palace official said.

Critics have slammed Duterte's insistence not to antagonize China even after Beijing's reported deployment of military aircraft and installation of anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on Manila-claimed reefs.

Instead, Duterte blamed the United States and his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, for not confronting China's excessive claims and buildup of military facilities on the artificial islands in the resource-rich sea.

China is laying claim to almost the entire South China Sea despite a United Nations-backed tribunal ruling in July 2016 in favor of the Philippines and invalidating the Asian powerhouse's excessive claims in the area.

Duterte, however, temporarily set aside the ruling to avoid confrontation with China, but vowed to raise it at the right time during his presidency. —NB, GMA News