THE Philippines should start considering other creative solutions to resolving the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute because the country seems to be getting the raw end of the deal in its relationship with China, an ex-pert on Asian maritime affairs said. “Is it really worth it for two or three billion dollars of potential, very problematic investments, for the Philippines to entirely give up progress in the South China Sea?” he pointed out. Poling said the strategy had been tried, and the Philippines and other claimant countries should admit that more creative solutions were needed to address the issue. Corpus said Duterte’s independent foreign policy has helped stabilize the region. Encomienda also lauded Duterte’s independent foreign policy, rejecting critics’ claims that the President is “incon-sistent.”“In foreign policy, nothing is permanent, except the national interests of our country.” Encomienda said.

Source: Manila Times November 09, 2017 16:41 UTC