Duterte wants Ramos to lead talks with China
MANILA: President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte has confirmed he asked former president Fidel Ramos to lead a team for talks with China following the Philippine victory before a UN international arbitral tribunal that Beijing’s expansive territorial claim in the South China Sea has no legal basis.
“ War, is not an option. We will go for peaceful talks,” Duterte said in a speech on Thursday night in a testimonial dinner tendered in his honour by the San Beda Alumni Association at the historic Club Filipino in Metro Manila.
“I would like to respectfully ask him (Ramos) to go to China and start the talks,” he told his fellow alumni at San Beda College, a school run by Benedictine priests, where he graduated with a law degree.
When asked for his reaction, Ramos said he would have to study Duterte’s request, citing his age (he is in his 80s) as well as his other commitments in terms of peace in the world and sustainable development.
On Friday, Secretary Ernesto Abella, the presidential spokesman, expressed the hope that Ramos would accept Duterte’s offer, citing his role as one of the country’s respected elder statesmen who can accomplish the job.
Duterte has repeatedly acknowledged in several public appearances that it was Ramos who convinced him to run for president to pursue his commitment for major change including a war on corruption and rampant criminality particularly illegal drugs.
The Duterte administration has opted for a peaceful resolution of its maritime row with China in sharp contrast to Beijing’s stand it would not respect and honour the decision of the UN arbitral court based in The Hague, Netherlands.
But despite his willingness to start talks with China, Duterte pointed out the Philippines also has to take into consideration the country’s relations with its allies like the US.
“We have allied ourselves with the Western powers. So, there’s an interest which we should never forget. Our interest and the interest of our allies,” Duterte stressed.
He did not elaborate but the Philippines, a former American colony, has signed what is officially known as the Enhanced Defence Co-operation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.
MANILA: President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte has confirmed he asked former president Fidel Ramos to lead a team for talks with China following the Philippine victory before a UN international arbitral tribunal that Beijing’s expansive territorial claim in the South China Sea has no legal basis.
“ War, is not an option. We will go for peaceful talks,” Duterte said in a speech on Thursday night in a testimonial dinner tendered in his honour by the San Beda Alumni Association at the historic Club Filipino in Metro Manila.
“I would like to respectfully ask him (Ramos) to go to China and start the talks,” he told his fellow alumni at San Beda College, a school run by Benedictine priests, where he graduated with a law degree.
When asked for his reaction, Ramos said he would have to study Duterte’s request, citing his age (he is in his 80s) as well as his other commitments in terms of peace in the world and sustainable development.
On Friday, Secretary Ernesto Abella, the presidential spokesman, expressed the hope that Ramos would accept Duterte’s offer, citing his role as one of the country’s respected elder statesmen who can accomplish the job.
Duterte has repeatedly acknowledged in several public appearances that it was Ramos who convinced him to run for president to pursue his commitment for major change including a war on corruption and rampant criminality particularly illegal drugs.
The Duterte administration has opted for a peaceful resolution of its maritime row with China in sharp contrast to Beijing’s stand it would not respect and honour the decision of the UN arbitral court based in The Hague, Netherlands.
But despite his willingness to start talks with China, Duterte pointed out the Philippines also has to take into consideration the country’s relations with its allies like the US.
“We have allied ourselves with the Western powers. So, there’s an interest which we should never forget. Our interest and the interest of our allies,” Duterte stressed.
He did not elaborate but the Philippines, a former American colony, has signed what is officially known as the Enhanced Defence Co-operation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.
