Duterte urges ASEAN to ease South China Sea tensions

President Rodrigo Duterte called on ASEAN leaders during the 36th ASEAN Summit to avoid increasing tensions in the South China Sea amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte urged claimants to refrain from activities that could destabilize the region and adhere to international laws such as the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the 1982 UNCLOS.

He cited unspecified incidents, though previously the Philippines protested against China's establishment of two districts covering disputed territories and a Chinese vessel using a radar gun towards a Philippine Navy ship.