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.

"They are performing acts of ownership..."

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.

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.