The Global Times, the Chinese Communist Party editorial, has boldly stated that China is prepared to go to war against the Philippines. Malacanang, on the other hand, seemed unfazed and instead directed efforts in raising international awareness of the territorial dispute. President Aquino reiterated that the issue should be taken to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, firmly claiming the shoal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has urged Beijing to cooperate in the resolution of the territorial dispute in accordance to the UNCLOS, starting with the withdrawal of Chinese ships still in the area. Chinese embassy spokesperson Zhang Hua contested this, stating that two ships had already been withdrawn to reduce the rising tension. ICTO warned Filipino netizens against defacing Chinese websites as it would not help in the efforts to ease tensions with China.
