Not until the release of a ruling by the arbitral court in The Hague on Manila’s maritime case against Beijing, incoming Duterte administration prefers to keep mum.
"We shut up. We will wait for the decision before we make any public statement," outgoing Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said, addressing officials and employees of the Davao City Hall yesterday morning.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration is expected to decide in the next days on a three-year-old case filed by the Philippines seeking a reaffirmation of its entitlements in the West Philippine Sea and contesting China’s massive claim.
China, which is claiming almost the entire South China Sea, has disregarded the hearings.
After the inauguration, the incoming president looks forward to meet with his top defense and military officials to come up with a policy with regards to dealing with China.
"We’re just waiting for arbitral judgment. I have to talk to everybody in government to decide, including the military," Duterte added.
In his recent interviews, Duterte said he is willing to to enter into talks with China on the matter – and to strengthen relations with the Asian power.
Source: Philstar
Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer
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