Any bilateral talks between the Philippines and China should be based on the July 12 Arbitral Tribunal ruling. President Duterte stressed this in a long discussion with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua, who flew to Davao City to meet the Chief Executive. “We were discussing for hours,” Duterte said. “I have to sacrifice time… I have to listen to him to respond properly,” the President said, adding that while “there are many contentious issues,” he is trying to avoid a conflict. “We avoid trouble with them. Hindi pa natin kaya. Sinabi ko, ‘Mr. Ambassador, I will not talk about it. But when we are in front of each other in a bilateral talk, then I would state my case. I have this arbitral judgment. We will not go out of the four corners of this paper. Then, let us talk,’” Duterte said in his remarks before soldiers at the 10th anniversary [...]
