Know What Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino Advised Duterte On China Dispute

What Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino Advised Duterte On China Dispute

Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino advise – President Rodrigo Duterte recently exposed what former Philippine Presidents advised him to do regarding the current maritime dispute with China, Thursday, July 28, 2016.

Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino

In a report by ABS-CBN, the new President said that he has been taking the advice from the three former presidents namely, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Joseph Estrada, and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. A meeting was set by the National Security Council (NSC) on Wednesday about how the sea dispute with China must be handled.

Duterte declared the advice given by the former presidents: President Arroyo said ‘caution’, President Estrada said ‘restraint’, while President Aquino, according to Duterte, has won the case for the country. He even thanked Aquino for “giving the ace card” for the Philippines. Duterte added that it was Aquino who filed the case under his instructions.

Meanwhile, Duterte places his trust on former President Ramos as he will let him “navigate” the talks with the Chinese government after the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PSC) has backed the Philippines against the massive claim of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte has appointed Ramos to be a ‘special envoy’ to China. Ramos will be joined by former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Rafael Alunan.

“Hayaan muna natin sila. Then maybe, when the final talks are there tapos kaharap na kami, that would be the time na magpaprangkahan na tayo,” (Let them [do their job]. Then maybe, when the final talks are there and we’ll be facing, that would be the time to start talking frankly.), said Duterte as quoted in the report.

Duterte expressed some of the words he would say to the Chinese government.

“This is our position. This is what we have. We will not go out of it. So we talk. So what is your position?”

Duterte also pointed out that it’s not that the Philippines is afraid with China, but, according to him, it’s not the right move to do – going out for war against the Asian Giant.

Duterte said that the integrity of the Republic must be maintained.

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