Follow us for updates
© 2020 reportr.world
Read the Story →

How About a Spratlys Vacation? Duterte Banters with Duque

Let's invite the Americans too, the President said.
by Joel Guinto
Sep 7, 2020
Photo/s: Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan/Facebook
Shares

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday bantered with Health Sec. Francisco Duque on Monday, breaking from the serious tone of his weekly address to the nation. How does the Spratlys sound?

Before Duterte's remark, he urged Duque to reject calls for him to resign due to his handling of the COVID-19 crisis and alleged corruption in PhilHealth. The President said the health minister had his "full trust."

"One of these days tatawag tayo bakasyon (One of these day's let's call a vacation)," the President said. "Maybe we'll visit the Spratlys, but we will also invite the Americans to come along."

The vacation, should it push through, should be within the country, he said.

READ ALSO:
Why the Philippines Refuses Conflict with Superpowers in South China Sea

The President was referring to an island chain in the South China Sea where Manila and Beijing are caught in a longstanding dispute. Save for exchanges of diplomatic protests, the two nations have had relatively peaceful relations under Duterte.

Continue reading below ↓

Washington, Manila's treaty ally, has long protested Beijing's moves in the disputed waters, saying it threatened the flow of maritime trade and air traffic.

READ ALSO:
Angry Mayor Isko Shuts Down 'Manila, Province of China' Store
What's In a Name? Sovereignty for Filipino Mayor in Spratlys

Latest Headlines
Read Next
Recent News
The news. So what? Subscribe to the newsletter that explains what the news means for you.
The email address you entered is invalid.
Thank you for signing up to On Three, reportr's weekly newsletter delivered to your mailbox three times a week. Only the latest, most useful and most insightful reads.
By signing up to reportr.world newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.