Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. has given an assurance that the Philippines will not be a subject of China despite the ongoing tension in the West Philippine Sea. Locsin made the statement after former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton raised her concern that the Philippines could become a “subject” of China if it will not stand up to Beijing’s “duplicity and being a bully.” In a tweet, Locsin assured Clinton that unlike the United States, the Philippines will not let such a thing to happen.

Geducos, A. C. B. (2021, April 18). Locsin: PH won't be a 'subject' of China. Manila Bulletin, p. 5.