France has made it public that it continues to support the freedom
of navigation in the West Philippine Sea, a day after President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte challenged the United States, Great Britain, and France in helping the
Philippines claim its territories in the West Philippine Sea.
"France is very committed to promote and defend the rule of
international law that's why our Navy is very often patrolling, cruising in the
South China Sea and we will continue [to do so]," French Minister of State
Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne told reporters.
"Our defense minister made it very clear during the last
Shangri La Dialogue a few weeks ago," he added.
The French Navy's Floréal-class surveillance frigate Vendémiaire conducted a patrol in the South China Sea to assert French presence in the region,last March (photo credit to Philstar) |
Last Thursday, Duterte called out the three western countries
namely the US, Great Britain, and France to help the Philippines in asserting
its rightd in the contested waters after being drenched with criticism that he
has failed to confront China over its aggression in the disputed territories.
The French official did not directly answers the call of the
President but has underscored that France shares the region's interest in upholding
the international laws in the South China Sea since Paris also have territories
and soldiers in the Indo-Pacific region.
"It's a proof of our commitment to be sure that freedom of
navigation is a fact... is real in the sea," he noted.
The Philippines, which won after the Permanent Arbitration Court
ruled against China's invisible demarcation in the disputed waters ( the 9 dash
line), temporarily shelved the ruling as it engaged and strengthened ties with
Beijing.
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Report from PNA
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