“The Duterte government has chosen a soft stand on China, opting for a defeatist and meek attitude towards China’s aggression and hogging of our territories. Duterte remains mute and has failed to assert the international tribunal ruling in The Hague, which recognized parts of the West Philippine Sea as part of the country’s exclusive economic zone. In effect, the government is gift-wrapping our sovereignty and territory in exchange for being the next debt colony of China,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, as people’s and human rights groups conduct a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Makati on November 20, 2018 in time for the first state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.