Malacañang on Saturday stressed that the government has not been lax in protecting the maritime environment in areas being claimed by China. "We stress that the essence of such writ of kalikasan, which is the protection of the marine ecosystem of the West Philippine Sea is already a top concern and agenda of the government," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. Panelo's statement came a day after the Supreme Court, in a special en banc session, issued a writ of kalikasan to prevent violations of the country's environmental laws in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

Gov't not neglecting duties in West PHL Sea - Palace. (2019, May 6). Daily Guardian, p. 12.