Asean defense ministers seek lawful resolution of sea row

MANILA, Philippines – A united regional voice is building up against China’s muscle flexing to support its aggressive occupation of islets and other strategic areas in the disputed Spratlys archipelago.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin made the observation Friday afternoon following his arrival from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he attended the Association of Southeast Asia Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADDM+).

“We all (ADDM+) expressed our views on the security in the region and agreed that all conflicts and misunderstandings among states should be resolved peacefully through the use of the international law,” Gazmin said on the sidelines of the of the Department of National Defense (DND) 76th founding anniversary celebration.

China has made clear it would not participate in a case filed by the Philippines with The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration to reaffirm its entitlement in the disputed waters as well as contest China’s massive claim.

Defense and military analysts said China risks getting international condemnation if it continues seizing areas and intimidating its smaller neighbors.

Beijing continues to maintain that the South China Sea is an integral part of its maritime domain since ancient times. The tongue-shaped nine-dash line map of China covers huge areas of Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.

The ADDM+ failed, however, to come up with a joint statement on the issue amid China’s position that the South China Sea conflict should not be mentioned in the meeting.