President Rodrigo Duterte said Philippines has no right to assert sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and prevent the Chinese fishermen from going there. Duterte on Wednesday said just like other countries, Philippines does not have the sole right in the EEZ, which is located 200-nautical miles from the Philippine coastline. “Tayo dinemanda natin ang China during panahon ni (former President Benigno) Aquino which was right. Nanalo tayo, sabi ng arbitral court sa Pilipinas ‘yan,” Duterte said. Duterte referred to the international tribunal ruling in 2016 which invalidated China’s claims in the South China Sea.

Co, A. S. (2019, June 28). 'PH has no sovereignty over economic zone'. Panay News, pp. 7, 15.