Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
Locsin made a pitch to continue the negotiations after observing there has been “dilly-dallying” over the proposed code of conduct since the onset of the pandemic.
The country’s top diplomat made the statement after armed Chinese ships reportedly tried to intimidate a local vessel and chased it away from an area in the West Philippine Sea. The latest incident is now being investigated by defense authorities.
“This is why it is imperative for ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to adopt a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea whereby all parties, China included, accept restraints,” Locsin tweeted Friday, April 9.