Reactions were sharply divided, the DDS vs the dilawans. We are talking of Filipino fishermen and from all indications, they are the victims. The initial reactions of Foreign Secretary Teddyboy Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana were correct. Unfortunately, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi joined the fray and started casting doubts on the story of our fishermen. So the incident elicited reactions that divided the Filipinos along political partisan lines: pro Duterte and anti Duterte.

Source: Philippine Star June 23, 2019 16:00 UTC