Duterte: No joining of naval drills in WPS

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has a “standing order” to the defense and military establishments not to be involved in naval exercises being conducted on the hotly disputed West Philippine (South China) Sea or WPS, except for drills being done within the Philippines’ 12-nautical mile distance, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday

He told reporters in a virtual briefing that any action being considered by one party as “belligerent” could increase the tensions happening in the disputed area amid the United States and other countries’ activities, particularly naval drills, within the potential flashpoint.