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Duterte asks ex-president to head talks with China
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Marcopolo Tam, a member of a pro-China business group in Hong Kong, points to what is now known as the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on a Japanese World War II era map purporting to support China's claims to vast parts of the South China Sea, in Hong Kong July 14. (AP/Kin Cheung)
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hilippine President Rodrigo Duterte asked former president Fidel V. Ramos on Thursday night to head the Philippines’ negotiation with China in the wake of an international court’s ruling recognizing the country’s maritime claims over the South China Sea.
Speaking at the testimonial dinner held in his honor at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, the president reiterated that “war is not an option” in dealing with Beijing.
He said he would seek the advice of several individuals, among them Ramos, in determining the next step for the government.
“I would like to respectfully ask [Ramos] to go to China and start the talks,” Duterte said during the gathering hosted by his fellow alumni from the San Beda College.
“I cannot give you the wherewithal now. I want to consult many people including President Ramos,” he added.
Duterte immediately convened his Cabinet on Tuesday night, moments after the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration issued its decision favoring the Philippines.
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the President told them that he wanted to pursue bilateral talks with China after the country’s historic victory.
