Clearer Duterte policy on sea dispute awaited — experts

    

The Philippines has been on the frontline in asserting the rule of law and the passage of an Asean-

China Code of Conduct in the South China Sea under outgoing President Aquino. Now, other 

Spratlys claimants and interested parties like the United States and Japan are waiting for more “

clarity” from President-elect Rodrigo Duterte about his position on the maritime row.

“On the campaign trail, he made statements that seemed to run counter to the established policy of 

the Aquino administration and made outside observers nervous,” Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative