Philippine Chairman Rodrigo Duterte, who into taking place of work for the 2016 sworn to follow a very well-balanced international coverage by the boosting connections having Russia and you will Asia, keeps remained hushed on dispute. Their protection secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, stated the new Philippines do are “neutral” as the disagreement is “nothing of our own company”. Their approach really stands in the designated compare so you’re able to Philippine perform so you’re able to internationalise the brand new South China Ocean conflict. However, a short while pursuing the Russian physical violence, the newest Philippines shown “explicit condemnation of invasion away from Ukraine”.