Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the unannounced passage of Chinese warships in the Philippine waters was an “issue” for President Rodrigo Duterte. He added that foreign vessels passing through Manila’s waters should inform Philippine authorities first, as stated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “It is an issue with the Office of the President given that we need to be informed in advance of any passage in our territory because that is what the UNCLOS says,” Panelo said on Monday. He added Duterte will raise the issue when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.

Co, A. S. (2019, August 21). 'Chinese ships entering PH waters an issue for Duterte'. Panay News, p. 5.