In a remarkable twist of events, the Rodrigo Duterte administration has, for the first time, sought to draw the line in the sands of the West Philippine Sea. This is a welcome development, though action speaks louder than words. After months of defeatist statements — with the President falsely claiming that the choices we face are either a suicidal war or acquiescence, yet ignoring a whole spectrum of other options on the table — there are signs that the current government is hardening its position vis-à-vis China’s relentless weaponization of disputed land features in the area.

Heydarian, R. J. (2018, June 05). Duterte's 'red lines' in the West Philippine Sea. The Daily Guardian, p. 5.