China has never had sovereignty over Taiwan. Roque, a former International Law professor, neglects to see this, and his statement is a window to the Duterte administration’s stance on China. However its minions twist it, the Duterte administration is pro-China. It continues to acquiesce to China’s claims to the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s protests are too little, too late. In 2016, the Philippines won the arbitration case filed in The Hague to protest China’s claims. But since the start of Mr. Duterte’s term, there has been no enforcement of it.

Diana, R. J. (2020, May 12). A threat to PH sovereignty. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A7.