Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Monday he has banned marine survey ships even of China, saying granting exception to one country “will automatically lift ban universally” and will “invite bribes.” “I banned marine survey ships, amending restriction to France & Japan by adding China. To pick & choose invites suspicion of favoritism. Will universalize the ban. Period. Granting exception to one country will automatically lift ban universally. Exceptions invite bribes,” Locsin said in a tweet, in reaction to Panelo’s statement that there is nothing wrong with seeking US assistance in monitoring the country’s EEZ.

PH bans Chinese marine survey ships: Locsin. (2019, August 13). Daily Guardian, p. 12.