The presence of Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Philippines-controlled islands in the West Philippine Sea would likely become the norm in the disputed waters.

The Philippine government will be taking legal action against Chinese nationals harvesting giant clams in Scarborough or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.

The presence of Chinese ships near Pag-asa island may be discussed during President Duterte’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month, Malacañang said yesterday, as it claimed that the Philippine leader had “effectively” invoked the arbitral ruling on the South China Sea when he asked Beijing to lay off the Philippine-occupied island.

PRESIDENT Duterte has to decide quickly how to bring up with his Chinese counterpart the arbitral award that invalidated in 2016 China’s expansive claim over much of the South China Sea and affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its maritime area.

Malacañang yesterday justified the signing of a law dividing Palawan into three provinces, saying it has nothing to do with the country’s stake over the South China Sea.