RP senator wants the 'Freedom Sea'

RP senator wants the 'Freedom Sea'

MANILA (AFP): Senior Philippine Senator Francisco Tatad on Monday called on the government to now refer to the South China Sea as "Freedom Sea" in reaction to China's conflicting claims in the area.

Tatad, who also acts as an adviser to President Joseph Estrada, said in a resolution that because of its name, the South China Sea is sometimes perceived as belonging to China with the Chinese even claiming it as their internal waters.

"To avoid confusion that the body of water in question belongs to China... the Philippines should now start calling what is referred to as the South China Sea as... Freedom Sea," Tatad said.

Tatad's calls come as China and the Philippines remain locked in dispute over the Spratly islands, a chain of islands in the South China Sea.