Malacañang thought there really was no controversy in the latest Chinese incursion in the West Philippine Sea where more than 200 vessels were sighted swarming the Julian Felipe Reef.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after President Duterte's recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.
In his Thursday presser, Roque, who cannot remember when the meeting took place, said the two seemed to have reached an understanding about the situation.
"Nagkaintindihan naman po ang Presidente. Sinabi po ng Pangulo na concerned po talaga tayo. Kahit sino namang bansa mako-concern kung ganyang karaming barko (I think they understood each other. The President said we are really concerned just like any other country if they see those many ships)," he said.
"Ang sabi naman po ng Chinese Ambassador, sila po ay mga mangingisda, na yun nga po, nandoon sila dahil (The Chinese Ambassador responded that they were fishermen and) they were seeking shelter also," he added.
With this, Roque said the incident was not really controversial.
"Sa tingin ko wala po talagang kontrobersiya dahil hindi naman nila pinaglalaban na talagang mananatili sila doon (I don't think there is any controversy because the Chinese are not insisting on staying there)," he said.
However, he said that the incident will test the friendship between the Philippines and China, especially if the vessels will not leave the area.
"Diyan papasok naman yung issue ng ano ang epekto ng malapit na pagkakaibigan ng Pilipinas at ng Tsina ngayon (The close friendship between the Philippines and China will come into play if the vessels won't leave)," he said.
"Naniniwala po tayo na sa panig ng magkakaibigan ay mareresolba naman ito (We believe that friends will be able to resolve this issue)," he added.
According to Roque, President Duterte reiterated what he said during the 2020 United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
"Naninindigan tayo at poprotektahan ang ating mga teritoryo, naininiwala tayo na kinakailangan maresolba ito sa pamamagitan ng UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, at pinaninindigan natin yung pagpanalo natin sa Arbitral Tribunal (We insist and will protect our territory, we believe that this needs to be resolved through the UNCLOS, and we will stand by our win at the Arbitral Tribunal)," he said.
The Philippines on March 23 demanded China withdraw the boats deemed to be maritime militia vessels from the Julian Felipe Reed, saying their continued presence and activities there "blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction."