MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte wants the country to enter into joint exploration with China in both disputed and undisputed areas in the West Philippine Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said yesterday. He said the joint exploration and development projects could be for oil, natural gas, marine life and other natural resources. However, the Aquino administration suspended the activity when the country filed its case with the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration, which has ruled in favor of Manila by invalidating China’s claim to almost all of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). However, Beijing does not recognize the ruling, which states that Recto Bank is part of the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone. There have been reports that Chinese Coast Guard vessels were patrolling the Recto Bank area.

Source: Philippine Star August 16, 2017 16:07 UTC