Malacañang finds “nothing objectionable” to China’s proposal to exclude non-Asian countries, such as the United States, from joint military exercises and energy exploration with Southeast Asian nations. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the proposal would be studied seriously by the Department of National Defense. “We find nothing objectionable to the fact that China would want to exclude non-Asians from the military exercise,” Roque said in a press briefing in Bukidnon province on Friday. He added that China’s intention might be “to have military cooperation amongst neighbors.”

Aurelio, J. (2018, August 4). Palace: Nothing objectionable in China proposal. Philippine Daily Inquirer, A6.