By Jennifer Parker*
Enrique Manalo, Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary, made his feelings clear. “During our discussions,” he declared on Tuesday, standing alongside his Australian counterpart Penny Wong during a visit to Adelaide, (The Lowy Institute, The Interpreter) “I emphasised that the West Philippines Sea, South China Sea remains of foremost regional concern”.
“As maritime nations,” Manalo went on to say, “the Philippines and Australia share a commitment to preserving freedom of navigation and overflight and upholding the rule of law in our common waters”.
