Despite rising tensions, Gapay says West Philippine Sea issue should be dealt in a ‘peaceful way’

Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay on Monday maintained that issues in the West Philippine Sea should be dealt in a peaceful manner.

Gapay told reporters that security forces would follow the national government policy of diplomacy despite the increasing tension in the region.

"Siguro nakikita ng tao, we were not so much aggressive in really claiming what's ours but it doesn’t mean we’re abandoning our claim on that, actually nandoon pa rin 'yan and right now, we follow the government policy, national government policy of diplomacy and really settling the issue in a peaceful way," Gapay said.

"Perhaps soon we will have the code of conduct being ratified by every member and every claimants in the area so nandoon pa rin, so ang effort natin ngayon is we maintain naval presence in the area, we are guarding and monitoring' yung mga occupied," he added.

Gapay assured the public that the military constantly monitors the area and secures the fisherfolks fishing in the region.

China earlier urged the Philippines to stop its illegal provocations in the West Philippine Sea.

It made this remark after the Philippines lodged a diplomatic protest against China for its "continuing illicit issuances of radio challenges [against] Philippine aircraft conducting legitimate regular maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea."

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana hit back, saying the Chinese forces are the ones who practice illegal provocations in the resource-rich region, including its illegal occupation of areas within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the rising tension between the United States and China, it was reported that an American warship sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the region after China fired ballistic missiles into the sea as part of its live-fire exercises.

Gapay said he believes there is a pressure on the part of the ASEAN nations to resolve the ongoing tension in the region.

"Actually we’re still in the peaceful and rules-based resolution ano, ito nga, both area, medyo nagkakagirian tayo doon, may show of more on the parties, but of course may pressure din on the part of the ASEAN nations to really stop 'yung ganitong show of force on both countries and again revert back to the rules based and peaceful means of resolving 'yung issues natin sa West Philippine Sea," he said.

When he assumed post as AFP chief, Gapay said the Duterte administration is enforcing a "realistic and pragmatic approach" in addressing territorial issues. — RSJ, GMA News