Given China’s increased activities in the South China Sea, the Philippines and Vietnam are calling for the immediate crafting and implementation of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the disputed region.

This will be his first visit to China since assuming the top DFA post in October last year.

When US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited last week, he made assurances his country would come to the Philippines’ defense in the event of an armed attack on our vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea.

President Duterte and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad emphasized yesterday the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in maintaining peace and progress in the region, which is grappling with territorial disputes as well as China’s muscle-flexing.

Beijing downplayed Wednesday night the renewed commitment of the US government to come to the aid of the Philippines if the latter is attacked in the South China Sea.