“While appropriate language, whether expressions of condemnation or concern, over certain developments are clearly conveyed through diplomatic channels, it is not our policy to publicize every action taken by the Philippine Government whenever there are reported developments taking place in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea,” the DFA noted.
Even then, it said “fighting for our rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and under our present strategy, we intend to achieve much more, including, but not limited to, an effective comprehensive Code of Conduct that will promote peace, cooperation, and stability in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.”
Since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the post in 2016, the Philippines has adopted a friendlier stance toward China.
In previous speeches, Duterte called China a “brother” and a “friend” even as he reiterated he was nurturing relationships with all other countries including the United States.
