President Duterte has asked United Stated Ambassador Sung Kim why did US did nothing to stop China from building structures in the South China Sea. During the meeting, Duterte told Kim he was surprised that Washington did not prevent construction activities by the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea. China began building structures in the South China Sea, starting with huts on Panganiban or Mischief Reef, about a year after the Philippines drove out US troops from their bases in the Philippines.

Mendez, C. (2017, March 30). Rody asks envoy: Why didn't US stop China. The Philippine Star, p. 1, 10.