G7 reaffirms support for Phl amid sea row

Renewing their demand for China to stop its militarization of the South China Sea (SCS), leaders of some of the most powerful democracies in the world collectively known as the Group of Seven (G7) have reiterated their support for the Philippines amid growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN, Ghio Ong

In a statement following this year's summit held in Apulia, Italy, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States declared once again their concerns over what is happening in the Indo-Pacific Region.

"We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion," the G7 said.

"We continue opposing China's dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in the South China 1 Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries' high seas freedom of navisgation. We express serious concern about the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine vessels." part of their statement read.