An opportunity for diplomatic negotiations thrown away - Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs

There are always two sides to the question. This is especially true with the recent Chinese reiteration of rules about fishing in the South China Sea. The rules are not new. It has been there for decades but those who were more interested in escalating conflict between the two countries worked overtime to interpret it as an act of aggression and this is the side that has been getting the publicity.

Filipinos have to be more informed rather than take every propaganda trick that aims to aggravate the conflict. The problem is access to mainstream media in the Philippines that does not see public interest as a duty. It demands information and searching questions to shape responsible opinion.