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‘Look kindly’ on PH, China told
As US solon bares ‘Pacific Deterrence Initiative’ amid WPS issues
By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte told Chinese President Xi Jinping “to look kindly on the Philippines” on the issue of the West Philippine Sea when they met last month, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Thursday, quoting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
President Marcos met with Duterte on Wednesday night to discuss his predecessor’s meeting with the Chinese leader, the Presidential Communications Office confirmed Thursday.
While the Palace said the two leaders talked about the meeting, it provided no details of what was said. Duterte did not say what Xi’s response was, as Mr. Marcos had a “casual dinner” with senators after meeting with his predecessor, Zubiri said.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Zubiri said Mr. Marcos told them that Duterte had asked Xi “to look kindly on the Philippines”
Meanwhile, a visiting United States senator said the Philippines is expected to benefit from the $9 billion in initiatives that will be launched by the United States in response to China’s continued aggression in the region.
Unlike Duterte who spurned the Americans in favor of better relations with Beijing, Mr. Marcos has forged closer defense ties with the US—a stance that the former president has spoken out against.
Upon his arrival at the Palace at 6:15 p.m., Duterte had a one-on-one meeting with the President, before Cabinet
