US Ambassador Sung Kim said Beijing, not Washington, is to blame for the militarization of the West Philippine Sea. Ki made the remark in response to a request for comment on President Duterte's statement that Washington should be blamed for the reclamation activities of Beijing in the disputed waters. Duterte also said China was "already in possession of (the) South China Sea" and that any tension in the area might erupt into an open conflict.

Hachero, A. (2018, December 20). US envoy: China, not US, to blame for WPS tension. Malaya Business Insight, p. B6.