President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to push for the completion of the long-delayed code of conduct in the South China Sea when he attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Thailand this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West said discussing the sea code was “unavoidable” because several members of Asean have conflicting claims over the disputed waters. “I think it will be featured in the discussions. It’s unavoidable. Kasi doon sa meeting na ‘yun ng mga leaders (In the meetings of the leaders), they will have a tour of the horizon of what’s happening throughout the region,” Mahilum-West told reporters.

Valente, C. S. (2019, October 29). 'Duterte to push for sea code'. The Manila Times, p. A3.