The United States had a chance to nip in the bud the territorial conflict in the South China Sea years ago but has “done nothing” about it, according to President Duterte. The President has sharply rebuked the United States for its inaction when China started its reclamation works in the disputed waters a few years ago, accusing America of waiting for the conflict to ripen into an international issue. Duterte is resenting US pressure to take a stand against China for its failure to take a “decisive action” to resolve the matter in the past.

Kabiling, G. D. (2017, March 25). Duterte bares reason tension escalated in South China Sea. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 6.