Philippines to boost alliances, capabilities for maritime security, envoy says amid China tensions

​​​​​​​By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Philippines said Monday it will leverage alliances and build capabilities for maritime security, its envoy told the UN amid tensions with Beijing.

“Maritime security concerns are most deeply felt by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea and in the South China Sea,” Irene Susan Natividad told the UN Security Council in New York.

Stressing the importance of the South China Sea in international trade, she said Manila aspires “for the South China Sea to be a sea of peace, security, stability and prosperity.”

“Regrettably, incidents that infringe on our rights and entitlements continue to occur in the South China Sea,” she added, noting that the Philippines takes part in the South China Sea “on a code of conduct.”

Manila has overlapping maritime claims with China, which have resulted in tensions between the two sea-sharing neighbors.

“We will not waver in advocating for adherence to international law, particularly the UN Charter … on the peaceful settlement of international disputes,” said Natividad. “We will continue to pursue effective diplomacy, leverage alliances, partnerships and multilateralism and build up domestic capabilities in securing our maritime domain.”

She added that maritime security is a “shared responsibility” that needs to be tackled “comprehensively” throughout the UN system to ensure “peace, for stability and for generations to come.”​​​​​​​