While his economic team is in Beijing to firm up the funding for the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program, President Duterte warned China not to initiate moves to explore oil deposits in the disputed areas with overlapping jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. Duterte said he has reiterated to Chinese President Xi Jinping that the Philippines will not be insisting to Beijing to recognize the decision of the UN arbitral tribunal. However, he said China should respect the Philippines’ rights over the Spratly Islands and other contested areas in the area.

Mendez, C. (2018, August 23). Rody warns China not to siphon oil in WPS. The Philippine Star, p. 2.