Majority of Filipinos were in favor of the suit filed by two former Philippine officials against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court over his country’s actions in the South China Sea, a new opinion poll suggests.

The Duterte administration has recently been releasing stronger statements on Beijing's recent actions in the West Philippine Sea.

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.