Manila won't 'deviate from' S China Sea ruling

Manila: The Philippines said yesterday it will not "deviate from" an international tribunal ruling that rejected China's extensive claims in the South China Sea but it must build trust with China before discussing "sensitive" bilateral issues.
China rejected the July ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague after the tribunal determined that China had breached the Philippines' sovereign rights by endangering its ships and fishing and oil projects.
The ruling, on a case brought by the previous Philippine administration, soured relations with China but President Rodrigo Duterte, who took office in the Philippines on June 30, has sought to engage China, marking a reversal in the foreign  policy of the old US ally.
Duterte has played down the arbitration saying, saying it would "take a back seat" during talks in China in October.
On Saturday, he said he would "set aside" the ruling and would "not impose anything on China".
Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay Jr issued a statement yesterday explaining that "revitalising" ties with China was one of Duterte's priorities and the government had been working to build "confidence and trust" with China.
"This we will continue to do for the foreseeable future, until such time that we achieve a trust level that will allow us to discuss the more sensitive issues in our bilateral relations," Yasay said.
The government reaffirmed "its respect for and firm adherence to this milestone ruling" and would be "guided by its parameters" when tackling the issue of maritime claims in the South China Sea, he said recently.