President Duterte Should Claimed The Territorial Rights For Disputed Waters, Gordon Says
Territorial rights for the West Philippine Sea Should claimed by President Rodrigo Duterte during his state visit to China, Senator Richard Gordon says.
On Thursday (October 20, 2016), Senator Gordon told the reporters that he will leave the decision to Duterte but he should assert the territorial rights of the country in a friendly manner. The president has the right to claim it anytime because Philippines and China can always agree to disagree.
“Sayang, naghihinayang ako. Dapat i-bring up ‘yun. Kung ako ang presidente, ibi-bring ko ‘yun in a firm, purposeful, fair manner. But I will tell them we’re friends,” said by Gordon (referring to territorial claims) quoted by GMA.
Earlier, the Philippine and Chinese presidents agree to restore the bilateral talks regarding the disputed waters, but Xi did not specifically mention the South China Sea which Filipino claims as the West Philippine Sea.
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