Duterte advises Ramos: Begin talks with China
— Malacañang yesterday reiterated the government's diplomatic approach in resolving the country's maritime dispute with China, ABS-CBN News reported.
Speaking to reporters, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said President Rodrigo Duterte advised former President Fidel Ramos, appointed to act as special envoy to China, to begin talks with Beijing "with things that you agree on."
"Basically, it's a very diplomatic route instead of confrontation," Abella said. Asked if Ramos will bring up the recent ruling of an international court invalidating Beijing's massive claim in the disputed South China Sea, Abella said: "If things, circumstances allow them, they will talk about what they can talk about."
Duterte on Thursday said he has full trust in the 88-year-old Ramos to "navigate" talks with China, which has refused to recognize the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
Duterte also said he is taking the advice of the "elders," pertaining to three other former presidents, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Benigno Aquino III, to exercise caution and restraint in handling the sea dispute.
"We take the advice of the elders. President Arroyo said 'caution.' President Estrada said 'restraint.' Si President Aquino, ganun naman, but he won for us the case. So kaya ako nagsabi, 'Maraming salamat po for giving us the ace card.' It was he who filed. It was upon his instructions," Duterte said.