THE Philippine government respects the stand of the United States not to take sides on standoff between the nation and China over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang said Malacanang understood the position made by the US during the 2+2 meeting in Washington, D.C. last Monday.

The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

read more