Ni: Genalyn D. Kabiling

Walang nakikitang masama ang pamahalaan sa pinakabagong freedom of navigation operation ng United States sa South China Sea/ West Philippines Sea (WPS).

“The Philippines has no objection regarding the presumed innocent passage of sea craft and that there is of course the freedom of navigation,” pahayag ni Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella sa Palace press briefing.

“In other words, from our side --- from our side we find no objection,” dagdag ni Abella.

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Naglayag kamakailan ang isang US Navy destroyer malapit sa Mischief Reef sa pinag-aagawang WPS sa isang freedom of navigation operation. Naiulat na ito ang ikatlong freedom of navigation operation simula nang manungkulan si US President Donald Trump.

Sinabi ni Armed Forces spokesman Restituto Padilla, Jr. na kahit anong barko ay maaaring magsagawa ng freedom of navigation operation.

“Freedom of navigation is guaranteed and anyone can do it so we just need to monitor,” pahayag ni Padilla.

“And as long as it is within the bounds set forth by international law, then it is all right,” dagdag niya.

Gayunman, nagprotesta ang China sa isinagawang operasyon ng US malapit sa inaangkin nitong teritoryo.

"China is very displeased with this and will bring up the issue with the U.S. side,” ayon sa pahayag ng foreign ministry ng China.