Being friendly with China doesn't have to mean allowing it to pull a fast one over us. The alleged friendly "verbal fishing agreement", which some sectors cited as a possible reason why Chinese vessels refuse to leave the country's exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, is invalid if it indeed exists. Any agreement or a treaty, must be in written form, otherwise it cannot be enforced.

We're friendly, but we should not allow China to treat us like a rag. (2021, May 5). Panay News, p. 9.