Lithuania impressed by PH pushback in SCS

The Philippine set a good impression on Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė as she hailed the country's "transparency initiative" in dealing with Chinese actions in the contested West Philippine Sea.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO

During a three-day visit to the Philippines, the official met with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Philipines Navy (PN) where she learned about the method that the Philippines had taken in response to China's aggressive stance in the region.

"Transparency initiative by Philippines, documenting and reporting harassment cases by Chinese military against your fishermen, your peaceful fishermen, against your Navy ships, their aggressive acts from water cannons to ramming into your ships. It has become, in my opinion, the golden standard," she told select members of the Philippine media, including the Manila Bulletin, on July 2.