Malacañang has assured that the Philippines is not giving up its sovereign rights over territories in the West Philippine Sea despite recent developments in the disputed waters. The assurance was made after Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio urged the government to file an international arbitration case and a complaint with the United Nations (UN) against China over President Xi Jinping’s supposed threat of war if the Philippines pursues oil explorations in the disputed West Philippine Sea. But Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano clarified yesterday that there was “no bullying or pushing around” during the meeting between President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum held in China the previous week.

Mabasa, R., Geducos, A. C., Casayuran, M., & Chavez, C. (2017, May 23). PH not giving up on sea claims, Palace assures. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 5.