There is no truth to the reports that President Rodrigo Duterte had been apologetic to President Xi Jinping when the former raised the arbitral ruling in the South China Sea in his recent visit to China.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin, Jr said the reports were a total fabrication and a complete lie.
“The reports that the President was apologetic in raising the arbitral award is a total fabrication, and in every aspect a complete lie. On the contrary, the President has, in my experience in his visits to China, always raise the Arbitral Award,” Locsin stressed.
Locsin also maintained that the president had been firm in insisting that China has to seek permission from the Philippine government before any of its warships incurs in Philippine waters.
“By insisting on, the President I admire him for this, on permission. But by China saying, yes we will ask for permission, we are now on the side of China in the revision of UNCLOS which is now asking for permission,” the DFA head added.
The official added that the Philippine government had been filing diplomatic protests to insist on the country’s rights in the disputed territory.
“And we have not withdrawn from a single square inch of what we claim is ours,” Locsin underscored.
The Philippines has filed 60 diplomatic protests under the
Duterte administration. (from the report of Joan Nano) /mbmf
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