The Palace contradicted China in claims over Spratly Islands which the Philippines considered part of the West Philippine Sea and within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the remark on Saturday after China said the contested island is within its territory as supported by “sufficient historical and legal basis.” The palace official said “while we concur with the Chinese official’s statement that the dispute can be best threshed out through peaceful negotiation between the two countries towards a solid partnership, beneficial to Filipino and Chinese communities, the arbitral ruling, however, has already been rendered.”

Co, A. S. (2019, April 14). Palace to China: Spratly Island is ours. Panay News, p. 6.