"Of course not, but we do not know yet if they are fishing there," Panelo said in a press briefing Monday.

Explaining the silence of President Rodrigo Duterte on the sinking of a Filipino boat by a Chinese vessel near Recto Bank, Malacañang said the president is still waiting for the final results of the investigation.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has questioned the inclusion of the Philippines in the US call against coercion and intimidation in asserting claim in the South China Sea, saying the taking of Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal happened with Washington’s “tacit” permission and consent as shown in its silence when China remained in the shoal.

For sure President Duterte is aware of the comments: he’s ready to declare war over garbage sales contracted by private parties, but his silence is deafening when Chinese believed to be maritime militias hit and sink a Filipino fishing boat and then abandon the fishermen to the elements.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has not issued a statement on the incident, will not join the meeting because of a tight schedule, according to Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles.