Philippines not provoking conflict in South China Sea — military spokesperson

MANILA — The Philippines is not provoking conflict in the South China Sea, the country’s military spokesperson said on Tuesday, in response to China’s accusation that Manila is encroaching on Beijing’s territory.

“Philippines is not provoking conflict,” Philippines Armed Forces Spokesman Medel M. Aguilar told state-run broadcaster PTV.

“We follow international law and we are only implementing our domestic law,” he added. — Reuters