President Duterte’s appeals and the warm relations between Philippines and China has prompted the Chinese government to withdraw over 200 vessels that were spotted in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said on Monday.

He issued the statement to emphasize Beijing is not ignoring Manila’s appeal for Chinese fishing vessels to withdraw from the Julian Felipe Reef which lies within the country’s exclusive economic zone and claimed by China under its invalidated nine-dash line principle.

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