While his defense and foreign secretaries openly fire off strong statements against the incursions by Chinese vessels into the West Philippine Sea, President Duterte will try to iron out the latest diplomatic kink between Manila and Beijing out of the public glare, according to Malacañang. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said diplomacy was one of the exemptions to freedom of information. This means the public need not know, or be immediately informed, about actions taken by the President on certain matters, including disputes between the Philippines and other countries.

Salaverria, L. B. (2021, April 16). Roque: Time for 'private' diplomacy on Sino vessels. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A6.