Defense Secretary Delfin yesterday Lorenzana said he is concerned about the pronouncement of the Trump administration that the US will prevent China from taking over territory in international waters in the South China Sea. He said the Philippines might be “caught in the middle.” “In the first place, they (Chinese) are already there. How can they (Americans) prevent them from going there since they (Chinese) are already there,” he said. China is occupying several areas in the South China, including newly land-reclaimed reef. The Philippine government recently sent a note verbale to China for installing weapon systems on these reefs.

Reyes, V., & Hachero, A. (2017, January 27). US stand on China worries Lorenzana. Malaya Business Insight, p. B2.