Following reports by the military two weeks ago about five Chinese warships passing through Philippine waters, President Duterte last Tuesday issued a statement requiring all foreign vessels to notify Philippine authorities and to get clearance ahead of their passage. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo's statement: "To avoid misunderstanding in the future, the President is putting on notice that beginning today, all foreign vessels passing our territorial waters must notify and get clearance from the proper government authority well in advance of the actual passage. Either we get a compliance in friendly manner or we enforce it in a unfriendly manner."

Tordesillas, E. (2019, August 23). Carpio: Duterte's statement on passage of foreign ships violates UNCLOS. Malaya Business Insight, p. B4.