The Duterte administration is avoiding a daily “shouting match” with China over the West Philippine Sea but maintained it is protecting the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said yesterday. Criticized for being meek before China, the Philippines will raise the South China Sea ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at the right time, Esperon said, adding the ruling in the country’s favor is key. Esperon also said unknown to many, the government has taken a series of diplomatic actions against China’s occupation of South China Sea islands.

Laude, J. (2018, July 22). No need for shouting match with China - Esperon. Philippine Star, p. 6.