The government’s soft approach to China’s militarization of the South China Sea will erode the advantage the Philippines gained when the UN arbitral tribunal recognized Manila’s claim over disputed territories in the area, a maritime law expert said Sunday. “This ‘soft position’ is not working. The only thing happening is we keep giving and giving,” said Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea. In an interview with radio dzMM, Batongbacal said China’s continued militarization would enable it to take control of the disputed area.

Ramos-Araneta, M., & Araja, R. N. (2018, May 7). Soft stance on China hit: Maritime expert sees erosion of PH gains from UN ruling. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.