The government has come under growing pressure from all sides to take an aggressive action on the recent Reed (Recto) incident in the contested South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and is itself anxious to find a resolution to the difficult situation, which is even made more complicated by diplomatic issues involved. But a clear decision is yet to emerge, based on developments reported the past few days. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, for one, told the media that President Rodrigo Duterte had called for a special Cabinet meeting today to discuss the reported ramming of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel in the disputed sea.

Public interest should guide PH action on Reed incident. (2019, June 17). The Manila Times, p. A4.