Coloma said the West Philippine Sea does not represent the totality of the country's national interest or national security concerns.
Asked if the proposed increased rotational presence agreement between the Philippines and US will be part of the country's strategy in dealing with the territorial disputes with China, he said: "The agreement for enhanced defense cooperation between the Philippines and the US must be viewed within the context of the fact that the Philippines has strategic partnership with the United States."
"But that is to be viewed in the context of the totality of our defense and national security concerns not just at a single concern such as the West Philippine Sea."
The United States on Monday criticized China for being provocative after its coast guard tried to block a Philippine vessel that was rotating troops in the tense South China Sea.
State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters the Philippines had permission to resupply troops to the remote reef, the Second Thomas Shoal, because it has kept a naval presence there since before a 2002 declaration of conduct in the South China Sea.
President Aquino stood firm on the Philippine claim to the shoal, a day after his government filed a memorial before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on the arbitration case.
He, however, said he is not out to challenge China.
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Topic: Aquino, Obama may tackle West PH Sea row (Read 590 times)