President Rodrigo Duterte will push for the discussions on the proposed Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea when he attends the 35th Asean Summit later this week in Thailand. Department of Foreign Affairs assistant secretary Junever Mahilum-West said in a press briefing in Malacañang the topic will surely be brought out but “intensive negotiations” could not be expected. “I think it will be featured in the discussions. It is unavoidable kasi doon sa meeting na ‘yon ng mga leaders, they will have a tour of the horizon of what’s happening throughout the region,” Mahilum-West said.

Duterte to push for code of conduct at Asean summit – DFA. (2019, October 29). Panay News, p. 6.