President Duterte Will Not Pursue Bilateral Talks With China, Find Out Why

It seems the US convoy has persuaded President,Rodrigo Duterte to think twice about negotiating with China regarding the West Philippine Sea, Duterte,decided not to pursue the bilateral talks after months of eyeing for a joint venture with China.

US convoy and United States Senator for Connecticut,Christopher Murphy confirmed on Thursday night that Duterte indeed had a changed of heart, saying,that the arbitral tribunal’s decision was “non-negotiable.”

“[US delegation is] in Manila — just out of meeting with new Philippine President Duterte. [He] assured us he has no plans to negotiate with China over island dispute,” Murphy said in twitter.

In Manila - just out of meeting w new Philippines President Duterte. Assured us he has no plans to negotiate w China over islands dispute.

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 19, 2016

“We were first US elected officials to meet with Duterte. [He] says he will not trade territorial rights to China [and that the] tribunal decision [is] non-negotiable,” he added.

Senator Murphy met with President Duterte along,with US ambassador Philip Goldberg, US Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz, South Florida,Representative Ted Deutch, Maryland Representative Donna Edwards, and California,Representative John Garamendi.

For the Philippine side Foreign Affairs,Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Trade Secretary Ramon,Lopez were also at the meeting.

Duterte also warned China to stop their reclamation,in the disputed seas or he will allow US to build bases within the country.

We think with this decision tension will definitely,be at it’s highest in the next couple of months and we don’t know how things will turn out, we will just have to wait and see.

source: sunstar