Leaked letter exposes fault lines in Philippines’ South China Sea strategy

A leaked letter from the Philippines’ foreign secretary has exposed a fault line in the country over how to publicly confront Beijing in the South China Sea, days before the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) created its own maritime spokesman role. The new position was in addition to existing voices from the Philippine coastguard, armed forces and the National Maritime Council. The episode has cast a spotlight on a delicate balancing act in President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s China policy:...

By Raissa Robles