President Duterte said that gov'ts should not "dilute, diminish or abandon" the 2016 UNCLOS Arbitral Award over the South China Sea.

Harry Roque previously said Philippines can "set aside" the ruling in favor of infra projects with China.

Full story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/09/23/2044288/duterte-un-meet-south-china-sea-ruling-beyond-compromise

CONTEXT: Harry Roque previously said "As long as that decision stands, we can proceed forward on matters that we think we can push on such as trade and investment and meanwhile set aside matters that we cannot resolve perhaps in our lifetime." https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/09/02/2039609/palace-philippines-can-set-aside-south-china-sea-issues-infra-trade

CONTEXT: While Manila has legal entitlements over the West Philippine Sea, Duterte said he cannot do anything on the maritime dispute with China.

Duterte thinks that asserting the Philippines' rights means going to war with China. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/07/27/2031008/china-has-arms-we-do-not-have-it-duterte-says-west-philippine-sea