The Philippines found an ally in no less than the United Nations (UN) in its quest to find a "peaceful and amicable" resolution to the ongoing maritime spat between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reproed yesterday that Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Libran Cabactulan, reiterated before UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Manila's stance on the touchy maritime issue. In a meeting held last Tuesday, Cabactulan stressed to the Secretary-General that the arbitration case which the Philippines is seeking with China is "a for of peaceful settlement of disputes, which should not be considered an unfriendly act."

Quis­morio, E. A. (2013, February 22). UN favors peaceful settlement of PH-China Sea territorial row. Manila Bulletin, p. 18.