Palace: Philippines may talk to other claimants on Taiwan’s military drill plans in Spratlys

The Philippines may talk to other claimants of the Spratly Islands over Taiwan’s reported plans to stage live-fire drills there, Malacañang said Saturday.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Ramon Carandang also said they may “deal with that when it happens.”

“Meron tayong diplomatic channels para makipag-usap sa ibaang bansa tungkol sa issue na yan," he said on government-run dzRB radio.

The Philippines and Taiwan are among six claimants to the Spratly Islands, the others being China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

While the Philippines has economic ties with Taiwan, it considers Taiwan a province of China.

Earlier reports quoted Taiwan's coast guard as saying Friday it may stage a live-fire exercise next month in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sa) group of islands.

The drill will supposedly take place on Taiping Island in the Spratlys between April 9 and 11.

It will involve 40mm artillery and 120mm mortars, both shipped to the island last year to boost Taiwan's defense capability there.-GMA News (March 02, 2013 1:09PM)