Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and his US counterpart Ashton Carter have agreed to hold a “2 plus 2” meeting on exploring ways to peacefully resolve the South China Sea row. “Secretaries Carter and Gazmin agreed to hold, in conjunction with the US State Department and Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), a 2-plus-2 meeting as soon as possible,” a press statement released by the US Department of Defense (DOD) said. Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice said he filed House Resolution 2136 in the light of what he said was bullying by China to assert its claim over the Kalayaan Group of Islands, particularly through land reclamation.

Laude, J., & Romero, P. (2015, May 29). Gazmin, US counterpart agree to hold meeting over sea row. The Philippine Star, p. 14.