MANILA, Philippines - The Philippinesis still refraining from sending a vessel to the disputed Ayungin Shoal off Palawan where Chinese ships were previously sighted, a Palace official said Tuesday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte reiterated that the government chose to address the issue in a diplomatic manner.
"As mentioned to me by the President, we have deliberately chosen not to respond to provocative statements or actions given that we have already chosen the path of peaceful resolution and exhausting diplomatic means to do so," Valte said.
A Philippine Marine contingent on board the BRP Sierra Madre is currently monitoring the situation off Ayungil Shoal.
The vessel is a landing ship tank that ran aground off Ayungin Shoal some years ago.
Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea issues, said the Marines there "are not demoralized" despite the discomfort and relative isolation of their post
No additional Chinese ships have been sighted so far in the disputed area, where two China maritime surveillance vessels arrived last weekend, according to the navy official.