Philippines says acts in national interest in South China Sea

MANILA (Reuters) -China should recognise that the Philippines is an independent and sovereign state whose actions and decisions are driven entirely by national interest and not at the direction of other countries, Manila's foreign ministry said on Monday.

The Philippines' foreign ministry also said the "real issue is China's refusal to abide by international law" and how its "illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive behaviour at sea" have affected Filipino communities.

"We call on countries to be circumspect and to avoid actions and words that only contribute to tensions in the region," it said in a statement responding to comments from China that Manila was being directed by external forces.

At a press conference on March 7, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the Philippines' actions in the South China Sea were not independent but part of a "screenplay written by external forces," to smear China.

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the foreign ministry's statement.

The Philippines has embarked on what it calls a transparency initiative to shed light on China's actions in the South China Sea, including embedding journalists on maritime patrols and resupply missions.

Its approach has resonated with allies, including the United States, who support the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that found China's vast South China Sea claims had no legal basis. China rejects that finding.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by John Mair)

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