duterte

MANILA – Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday discussed with his successor, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, in a Facebook post, shared several photos of Duterte’s meeting with Marcos at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

Duterte’s visit to China was among the issues raised during his meeting with Marcos, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed in a statement sent to Palace reporters.

“Former President Rodrigo Duterte went to see President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to talk to him about his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China. They also discussed other issues,” Garafil said.

Garafil said Duterte also gave Marcos “some good pieces of advice.”

She did not elaborate on the other issues tackled between Duterte and Marcos.

Duterte met with Xi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China on July 17.

In an interview in Tondo, Manila on July 18, Marcos said Duterte need not seek his approval to hold a meeting with Xi.

Marcos also hoped that Duterte and Xi discussed the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), following recent reports that the Chinese Coast Guard vessels shadowed and blocked two Philippine Coast Guard ships from entering Ayungin Shoal for a support mission in the WPS.

Marcos said he is expecting Duterte to release a statement about what happened during his meeting with Xi and “see how that affects us.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Xi “appreciates the strategic choice Mr. Duterte made to improve relations with China during his presidency.”

Source: Philippine New Agency