The Philippines’ commitment to international law and regional stability is challenged by the South China Sea issue. According to a study entitled “Into China’s Rough Seas: Troubled Maritime Institutions in the West Philippine Sea – Implications for Philippine National Security” written by Rhisan Mae E. Morales of Ateneo de Davao University, different administrations of the Philippine government embarked on various measures fundamentally inclined to the principle of its foreign policy that ensures the integrity of its national territory and sovereignty. However, according to Morales, the initiatives turned out ineffective at the level of implementation because each administration had a different approach to the West Philippine Sea issue and, in general, with China. In the introduction of the study, Morales described how each administration acted on the issue.

De Guzman, S. S. (2021, May 17). Philippine presidents and the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Star, p. 4.