Philippine minister clarifies Duterte's statement on China's war threat

Record ID: 876628

  • Title: Philippine minister clarifies Duterte's statement on China's war threat
  • Date: 22nd May 2017
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (MAY 22, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF PHILIPPINE FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING PHILIPPINE FOREIGN MINISTRY EMBLEM PHILIPPINE FOREIGN MINISTER ALAN PETER CAYETANO TAKING SEAT DURING NEWS CONFERENCE NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English/Filipino) PHILIPPINE FOREIGN MINISTER, ALAN CAYETANO, SAYING: "My interpretation in the meeting is that there was no bullying or pushing around, or it wasn't a threat in the sense of 'Philippines, if you don't do this then we will... or China if you don't do this we will...' It was more that the threat of conflict will always be there if we do not dialogue." JOURNALISTS TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE FOREIGN MINISTER, ALAN CAYETANO, SAYING: "So there was no language or even tone that would lead any of the two presidents to believe that there was any disrespect for them or their country. It is but natural that when you talk about peace and when you talk about conflict, the word 'war' may come up." CAYETANO ENDING NEWS BRIEFING VARIOUS OF FILIPINO STUDENT ACTIVISTS PROTESTING OUTSIDE CHINESE CONSULATE LEAGUE OF FILIPINO STUDENTS SPOKESPERSON J.P. ROSOS HOLDING PLACARD READING (English): "DEFEND PH SOVEREIGNTY!" (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) LEAGUE OF FILIPINO STUDENTS SPOKESPERSON, J.P. ROSOS, SAYING: "We condemn the continued incursion of China and the U.S. in the country's territory, especially China's threat of war. The youth is calling on everyone (and saying) now is the time to take a stand and defend the sovereignty and territory of the country. Defend the motherland against imperialist invaders." VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS UNFURLING ROPE WITH LETTERS ATTACHED TO IT TO SPELL OUT (English): "CHINA, LEAVE US" BUILDING HOUSING CHINESE CONSULATE / PROTESTERS CHANTING (Filipino): "DEATH TO CHINESE IMPERIALISM. BRING DOWN IMPERIALISM"
  • Embargoed: 5th June 2017 06:42
  • Keywords: Philippines war Alan Peter Cayetano war threat China Rodrigo Duterte
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016HX6XJ9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Talks last week between leaders of China and the Philippines were frank and friendly, with no threats or bullying, Manila's foreign minister said on Monday (May 22), after his president said he was warned of war if he drills for oil in the South China Sea.
    Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano would not disclose more details of the Beijing meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and China counterpart Xi Jinping, but said they had the kind of relationship in which they could openly discuss preventing maritime conflict.
    The notoriously outspoken Duterte said during a televised speech on Friday (May 19) that Xi warned him there would be war if he tried to explore for oil in a stretch of the sea that both countries claim. China has yet to respond to Duterte revealing contents of the meeting.
    Early on Monday, about a dozen student activists protested outside the Chinese consulate in Manila against its threats to the Philippines and urged Duterte to take diplomatic actions against Beijing. The maverick Duterte has faced criticism at home for refusing to push China to comply with an award last year by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which ruled largely in favour of the Philippines.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register