Philippines must take lead in sea dispute vs China, US will support: envoy

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard participate during a training on navigation, small boat operations, maintenance, and logistical operations in the West Philippine Sea in Palawan on April 24, 2021. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard MANILA – The Philippines must take the lead in protecting the West Philippine Sea from China and the US will support it, the country’s ambassador to Washington said Monday. The Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources over the weekend conducted maritime drills in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. Beijing is expected to deploy its…