The Philippines was the one that initiated the termination of oil exploration talks with China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. revealed Thursday.In his speech during the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Foundation Day, Locsin said both sides tried to negotiate for… Read More
The ongoing maritime row between the Philippines and China will not hinder plan to possibly hold a joint exploration for oil and gas resources in the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said on Tuesday.“Kaya nga po mayroong usapin na habang hindi pa nareresolba… Read More Also Read: CHINA EXPLORING OIL … Continue reading Sea row won’t hinder possible PH-China joint oil deal→
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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte said his administration will remain neutral amid the escalating conflict between China and Taiwan.Duterte said he was relieved that there is no tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as it allowed the military and police to provide necessary assistance to… Read More
President Rodrigo Duterte is ready to protect the Philippines’ interests, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, during his upcoming trip to China from Aug. 28 to 31, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said on Monday.
The former Special Assistant to the President made this assurance after Duterte said he will raise the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling in his upcoming eighth bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
“Handang-handa naman po parati si Pangulong Duterte (President Duterte is always prepared). Alam ko ipaglalaban niya. Marami siyang gustong sabihin na kung ano po ang atin ay atin (President Duterte is always ready. I know he will fight for it. He has a lot he wants to say about what is ours being ours),” Go told reporters on the sidelines of the National Heroes’ Day commemoration in Taguig City.
“Pilipino po si Pangulong Duterte, proteksyunan niya po ang interes po ng bawat Pilipino (The President is a Filipino. He will protect the interests of every Filipino),” he added.
Go said nothing could stop the President from raising the arbitral ruling despite calls to defer his plan as an act of courtesy.
“Wala pong makakapigil kay Pangulong Duterte kung ano man po ang gustong sasabihin ng Pangulo (No one can stop him from saying what he wants),” Go said.
Go said as long as it concerned the interests of the Philippines and Filipinos, Duterte has always been willing to speak his mind.
In 2016, the PCA released its decision nullifying China’s nine-dash line map covering nearly the entire of South China Sea, including the WPS.
Duterte temporarily shelved the verdict to give way to diplomatic approach but promised to raise it before his term as president ends in 2022.
Aside from the arbitral ruling, Duterte said he will also raise the 60-40 sharing deal on the proposed joint exploration for oil and gas in the WPS and the June 9 Recto Bank (Reed Bank) maritime incident, where a Chinese vessel allegedly rammed and abandoned a Philippine fishing boat at sea.
During his fifth trip to China, Duterte will also watch the game of Gilas Pilipinas against Italy on August 31 in the 2019 FIBA World Cup at the International Sports and Cultural Arena in Foshan City. (PNA)
President Rodrigo R. Duterte doused cold water on critics speculating a sell-out of Philippines sovereignty during his state visit in Beijing, China where he is expected to discuss issues on the West Philippine Sea with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang this week.
“We do not bargain anything though. We continue to insist that it’s ours and that the Tribunal, the international decision will be taken up, but there will be no hard impositions,” President Duterte told reports in a press briefing at the Davao International Airport in Davao City shortly before his departure Sunday afternoon, October 16, for his Brunei Darussalam visit.
He also agreed with Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, who said the President can be impeached if he bargains with Philippines sovereignty.
“In all my dealings, I will remain true to the Constitutional mandate reposed on me to pursue an independent foreign policy and to uphold the national interests of the Philippines,” he said.
The President remains strongly committed to stick to the country’s claim on the West Philippine Sea, dismissing speculations on how he would deal with China on matters of the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.
“We will talk and we will, maybe paraphrased everything in the judgment and set the limits of our territories, the special economic zones. It will be no bargaining there. It is ours …,” he said.
President Duterte further emphasized that there is no bargaining of the Philippines territories, whether within the turf or to the 200-mile economic zone.
“It will remain a special concern and I will be very careful not to bargain anything for, after all, I cannot give what is not mine and which I am not empowered to do by any sketch of imagination,” he added.
He stressed that “there will be no hard impositions because it is a matter of international committee when you go there.”
“We only want to talk. And remember, there are only two options: we go to trouble or we talk. We can choose to pass there in between,” he said.
President Duterte’s visit to China is the first State Visit of a Philippine President since 2011. “This signals a key turning point in both our histories,” he said.
When in China, the President looks forward to renewing the ties of friendship between the two countries and to reaffirm the commitment to work closer to achieve shared goals for the two countries and peoples.
“As we mark this year the 41st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, we will look at the sum total of our relationships. We shall seek ways to strengthen cooperation, particularly to intensify two-way trade and investments,” he said in his departure speech.
He said he looks forward to exchanging views with the leaders of China on how to further improve bilateral relations and identify emerging areas of partnership and various fields of cooperation.
The President reiterated his intention to also continue to espouse cooperation and collaboration with friendly nations on the basis of sovereign equality, non-interference and mutual respect. (PNA)
President Rodrigo Duterte is ready to protect the Philippines’ interests, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, during his upcoming trip to China from Aug. 28 to 31, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said on Monday.
“Handang-handa naman po parati si Pangulong Duterte (President Duterte is always prepared). Alam ko ipaglalaban niya. Marami siyang gustong sabihin na kung ano po ang atin ay atin (President Duterte is always ready. I know he will fight for it. He has a lot he wants to say about what is ours being ours),” Go told reporters on the sidelines of the National Heroes’ Day commemoration in Taguig City.
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