Malacañang has maintained that the administration will not surrender any territories or sovereign rights of the Philippines to another country.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque pointed out that the issue on territories has existed even before but it will not affect the bilateral relations of Philippines and China in other aspects.
“Consistent naman po ang ating Presidente, he will not give even an inch of our national territory or sovereign rights to any other state. Pero ang consistent policy rin po ng ating gobyerno, hindi po magiging dahilan itong unresolved issue sa ating teritoryo bilang hadlang para isulong sa ating diplomatic bilateral relations with China iyong mga bagay na pwede namang isulong kagaya po ng kalakal at investments. (But it is the consistent policy of our government that unresolved issue in our territory will not hinder in pushing our diplomatic bilateral relations with China such as trade and investments.)” – Report from Mela Lesmoras
