Agriculture and Food Minister Salvador Escudero III said that the aquaculture department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (Seafdec-AQD) is more of a Philippine government agency than an international institution. Escudero issued the statement in the wake of reports that the office of the Seafdec's secretary-general based in Bangkok, Thailand, has been taking actions which were interpreted as undue interference in the affairs of Seafdec-AQD which is based in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

Antonio, T. (1985, November 6). Escudero clarifies Seafdec-AQD status. Bulletin Today, p. 24.