Giving China “permission” for its presence in the West Philippine Sea shows the Philippines to be the “owner” of that area, Malacañang said on Sunday. “That very act alone shows you are the owner, since you are giving permission. If you are not the owner how can you give permission?” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer. On China’s proposal of a 60-40 sharing of resources in the West Philippine Sea, Panelo suggested this could be used as a “bargaining leverage.”

Salaverria, L. B., & Enano, J. O. (2019, August 12). Palace: Permission to China means we own West PH Sea. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A3.