Manila, Feb. 20 -- The West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue remains a problem because of former president Rodrigo Duterte's failure to protect the Philippines' interest, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile said Thursday, as he cautioned against China's interest over the Philippine Rise.

In an interview with state-run Radyo Pilipinas, Enrile said Duterte failed to protect the Philippine waters, particularly the WPS, despite his close ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Si Presidente Digong, presidente na 'yan na malapit kay Xi Jinping, malapit sa Beijing sa Tsina. Ngunit doon sa panahon niya, mayroon tayong peaceful relations sa China pero hindi niya naayos ang national interest natin sa West Philippine Sea kaya hanggang n...