Malacañang yesterday said Filipino fishermen need not ask permission from Chinese regional authorities to fish in the high seas and most especially within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ). Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte stressed that under international law, no state can subject the high seas to its sovereignty. The Philippines and China are among the claimants to parts of the disputed territory along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

Ruiz, J. B. (2014, January 12). Filipinos need not seek China fish permit-palace. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 15.