Malacañang said that China would have to comply to Philippine laws in case the joint exploration in Service Contract (SC) 57 pushes through as the said area is under the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque issued the statement days after he announced that there are two areas that may be subjected to joint exploration by the Philippines and China, namely SC 57 and SC 72.

Geducos, A. C. B. (2018, March 6). Joint gas exploration puts China under PH control – Malacañang. Manila Bulletin, p. 3.