“We will always decide for the greater interest of the Philippines” – Duterte
President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he is willing to talk to China if the United Nations arbitral tribunal would issue a ruling in favor of the Philippines in its case against Beijing over the West Philippine Sea. Image courtesy of DoT/PhilEmbassy.no “If it’s favorable to us, let’s talk,” the president said in his speech during the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at Clark Air Base Tuesday. But if it turns out to be otherwise, Duterte said his administration is also ready to accept the ruling. “On the West Philippine Sea, we remain optimistic that the judgment will be in our favor, and if it’s not then we will accept it as part of a country who honors international commitments that is by the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” the president said. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is scheduled to announce [...]