President Duterte appeared to have shown weakness and immediately capitulated to China instead of defending the country’s honor and dignity when he tried to downplay the ramming of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel at the Recto Bank last week, senators said yesterday. Sen. Panfilo Lacson found Duterte’s description of the collision as a “little maritime accident” as “heartbreaking” and “insulting” because it not only limited the country’s options in dealing with the incident that risked the lives of 22 Filipino fishermen but is also likely to invite more bullying from China in the West Philippine Sea. “No matter how many diplomatic protests or notes verbale we sent, we’re easily read by China. Even if we don’t act, they know our capacity because we keep on advertising our limitations, our weaknesses. We must show some strength, even a little,” Lacson told reporters.

Romero, P. Diaz, J., Felipe, C. S., & Punay, E. (2019, June 19). Duterte's maritime accident statement heartbreaking - Lacson. The Philippine Star, p. 6.