Vatican calls for peaceful resolution of West Philippine Sea conflict

A visiting Vatican official in the Philippines on Tuesday urged parties in the West Philippine Sea conflict to "resolve any differences peacefully" and "abide by international law."

"In such circumstances, such situations of conflict, whatever they are, the first and foremost effort must be to resolve any differences and conflicts peacefully," said Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See.

"We would encourage parties in conflict to abide by international law and pursue ways of resolving difficulties and problems in the best interest of all involved," he added.

It was the first time an official of the Vatican spoke about the West Philippine Sea issue involving the Philippines and China.

Gallagher will be in the Philippines for five days to meet with several officials including President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, as well as attend several activities.

Gallagher's remark came on the same day a dialogue between China and the Philippines, known as the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM), was being held to directly address the numerous incidents involving in the West Philippine Sea.

"We noted our shared perspective that amidst international challenges and conflicts, the international community must be united in preserving a world where differences are resolved peacefully and based on international law," Manalo said during his meeting with Gallagher.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said Gallagher's visit is the first official visit to the country of a Vatican foreign minister in the 72-year diplomatic relations between the two states.

According to Vatican News, the news portal of the Holy See, Archbishop Gallagher will participate in the annual celebration of “Pope’s Day” marking the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.

Gallagher will also address the plenary session of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which is being held in Malaybalay in Bukidnon province.

He will deliver a lecture on "Moral Governance and Ethical Leadership" as part of the Mabini Dialogue series of the Foreign Service Institute of the DFA. —KBK, GMA Integrated News