The Philippines should take the lead in protecting its territorial waters from China, with the United States only extending some support especially through joint patrols, Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said yesterday. “The Philippines (has) to take the lead. Any moves that are being made will have to come from the Philippines and the US will support it, for instance the joint patrolling of the area,” Romualdez said in an interview on ANC’s “Headstart.” This developed as Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Philippines will never give up Julian Felipe Reef, now being claimed by China whose ships have been swarming around the reef since early March.

Lee-Brago, P., Romero, P., Felipe, C. S., Flores, H., & Talavera, C. (2021, April 27). 'Phl must take lead in WPS; US will support it'. The Philippine Star, p. 2.