Manila, Feb. 13 -- Diplomacy remains central to the Philippines' maritime statecraft, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday, underscoring the need for approaches that "lead to positive outcomes" in managing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

At a press briefing in Pasay City, newly appointed DFA spokesperson for maritime affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. said the agency continues to assert the country's rights while engaging China in a "firm and professional manner."

"We at the Department are often asked why we continue to engage China amid their continued illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities. The answer is because we are committed to manage the situation at sea peacefully," he said.

He added that it is ...