Philippines unfazed by China's latest barb over sea dispute - Palace

MANILA, Philippines — The country will not be affected by China's newest tirades regarding the long-standing territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Presidential Communication Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Philippines prefers to focus on diplomatic, political, and legal options that will lead to the peaceful settlement of the issue.

"Hindi po natitinag ang ating pagnanais na humanap ng mga mapayapang kalutasan sa mga usapin hinggil sa West Philippine Sea. Anuman ang sabihin ng iba, mananatili po tayong mahinahon at hindi po tayo padadala sa mga maliligalig na usapan," Coloma said in a press briefing.

On Monday, China rejected the Philippines' proposal to freeze all activities in the disputed waters that could further escalate tensions.

Adamant that China has indisputable sovereignty over the contested territories, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying demand the Philippines to withdraw all its facilities and personnel on islands "illegally seized" from the Asian giant.

She also claimed that the Philippines "intentionally takes provocative actions while on the other hand makes irresponsible remarks on China's legitimate actions."

Hua's statements came after China's representative to the United Nations (UN) accused the Philippines of starting the sea dispute.

Deputy Permanent Representative Wang Min told state parties of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea that the Philippines' accusations are false and that it is trying to win sympathy by deceiving the international community.

Read: China: Philippines getting int'l sympathy through deception

Questioning China's execessive territorial claims, the Philippines has filed an arbitration case before an international tribunal, which China has refused to participate.

While it continues to use legal remedies to solve the sea dispute, Coloma said the Philippine government is doing what is deemed necessary to assert its sovereignty in the contested areas

Coloma said the Philippine Coast Guard conducts periodic patrols while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conducts regular trips in all Philippine waters.

"So these activities continue and are not affected by the concerns on the issues pertaining to disputes in the West Philippine Sea," Coloma said.