The Philippines rejects the "use of force" for undermining their interests in the disputed South China Sea, but they do not want a conflict, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
They have agreed with China to ease tensions in the disputed shoal.
"We do not want war,", National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said.
He assured that efforts are being made to de-escalate tensions in the disputed waterway, where Manila and Beijing accuse each other of aggressive behavior and damage to the marine environment.
Central to the dispute is the Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines in 1999 deployed an old warship with a small crew to assert its maritime claims. They regularly carry out supply missions for the troops stationed there.
Last month, Manila accused China's coast guard of deliberately attacking warships and seizing weapons to disrupt the supply mission. A Filipino sailor was seriously injured and lost a finger.
China has territorial claims to almost the entire South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Shoal.
A 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's historic claims to the resource-rich waterway have no legal basis. However, Beijing rejects this decision and points out that Philippine ships illegally invade the waters around the disputed shoals.
"We reject any attempt to deny our strategic services, especially through the use of force that seeks to subordinate the national interests of the Philippines,", Ano stressed.
He noted that the way forward is to uphold the 2016 ruling and prevent efforts to undermine its significance.
"This is not and will never be just a piece of paper,", Ano stressed, alluding to how former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called the decision in an attempt to get closer to Beijing.
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China maintains that its actions in the South China Sea are legal and professional.
Ano reiterated that the Philippines is "committed to the cause of peace". "We are committed to managing difficult issues through dialogue and diplomacy," he assured.
Earlier today, the European Union issued a statement to mark the anniversary of the South China Sea arbitration award, stating that all parties should "respect and honor the award", which is "legally binding".< /p>
Beijing reprimanded the EU for its position and said the Union had ignored historical and objective facts and "brazenly endorsed" the violation of Chinese sovereignty by the Philippines.
United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said hiscountry remained "deeply concerned" about China's actions in the disputed waters.
"We continue to call on the People's Republic of China to comply with the 2016 arbitration award and end its dangerous and destabilizing behavior," he insisted.