While the Philippines remains on friendly terms with China, the government will continue to assert the country’s sovereignty if it comes under attack, the Palace said Wednesday, even as Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin declared that the West Philippine Sea “is ours” and that Beijing just took it. The Palace on Wednesday made clear that China “has no business” in posting hundreds of ships near Pag-asa Island, and that doing so would be viewed as an assault on Philippine sovereignty. In a Palace briefing, Panelo said the Philippines is considering filing a second protest.

Mariano, N., & Requejo, R. E. (2019, April 11). PH takes a swipe at China: Slams ‘assault on sovereignty’ as Chinese vessels swarm WPS. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.