The administration’s “soft-landing” approach in dealing with the country’s maritime dispute might have emboldened Chinese fishermen to continue to fish without restrictions and interference in the West Philippine Sea, an expert said here over the weekend. Increased Chinese fishing activities have been observed in the Philippines’ rich fishing grounds since 2012, based on satellite data, according to lawyer Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.

Cardinoza, G. (2018, March 26). PH softness in sea dispute emboldens Chinese poachers. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A3.