As the government awaits developments in its case against China in connection with Beijing's alleged excessive claim over the South China Sea, a fishing town in the province of Zambales has been feeling the brunt of the territorial dispute.

The over-a-year presence of Chinese ships at the Panatag Shoal off Zambales does not weaken the Philippine cliam over the marine area as part of territory, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Friday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday called on China to respect the Philippines’ maritime zones facing the South China Sea amid reports of ongoing Chinese naval drills in the resource-rich waters that Beijing claims in whole.

New Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged on Sunday to work with U.S. President Barack Obama to forge "a new type of relationship" for the sake of peace in the Asia-Pacific region, and said the war of words about cyber-hacking must end.

The United Nations this week said it will keep tabs on developments on the maritime row between the Philippines and China at the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

Pormal nang tinanggihan ng China ang hakbang ng Pilipinas na dumulog sa United Nation upang pag-usapan ang gusot sa West Philippine Sea, at sinabing ang mga alegasyon laban sa Beijing ay hindi katanggap-tanggap.