Forum on "The Spratly Islands Issue: Perspective and Policy Responses"

Ateneo De Manila University

Department of Political Science

05 August 2011

Fr. JOSE M. CRUZ, S.J., Dean of the Ateneo's School of Social Sciences

EMINENT PROFESSORS and MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY

Distinguished CO-PANELISTS

Guests,

Dear Students,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please allow me to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the Ateneo and its Department of Political Science for this opportunity to share my thoughts on recent developments in the West Philippine Sea, and on the policy response of Philippine diplomacy on an issue of fundamental and of great importance to our nation.