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Text of report in English by Philippine newspaper The Daily Tribune website on 10 June
China demanded yesterday that its rival claimants to the disputed Spratlys in the South China Sea, including the Philippines, seek its permission before holding oil exploration activities in the area that it claims, including a territory that is clearly within the country's boundary. The latest China demand was in effect an order for other countries to recognize its sovereign claim over the Islands and areas around them.
China issued the response to belittle the Aquino government's allegations that Chinese forces intruded into areas within the country's boundaries.
Malacanang again tried to put on a brave face, saying it would not stop sending oil exploration vessels at Reed Bank, which is a territory claimed by the Philippines, amid the China demand.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told a press briefing that the areas in Western Palawan, including Reed Bank, should not be part of the disputed territory because it is completely within Philippine boundaries.
"With respect to the non-disputed areas, we have every reason to do the exploration there because it's ours. There should be no issue as to our sovereign right to explore our own natural resources," Lacierda said.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile added the repeated Chinese bullying over the disputed territories that are well within the Philippines' southwest border is "no longer funny."
"We laugh at it... but we are receiving the disrespect of other nations. We are no longer respected," Enrile, a former defence minister, told reporters at the weekly Kapihan sa Senado media forum.
Enrile explained that while he "respects the opinion of China and the Chinese government, they have to understand that we also have a voice to raise whenever we feel that they are intruding in our domain."
Bullying tactics, he added, are "normally the attitude of a powerful country against a weak county."
The Senate head also said the Philippines cannot...