PNoy Aquino slams Duterte’s stance on China issue: Pag dumating ung sinasabi mong oras na, baka sobrang laki na problema?

Timing is everything.

But former President Noy Aquino said President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to hold off any action against China’s incursions in Philippine territory could make the problem worse.

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Aquino was reacting to Duterte’s declaration in the State of the Nation Address that he would fight for the country’s rights in its sea territory “in due time.”


“Siyempre importante rin ang timing. May nagsabi rin na pag hindi… pag may karapatan kang nayuyurakan, pinabayaan mo, hanggang saan ba hahantong? Baka naman pag dumating yung panahong sabi mo oras na, yung problema nating maliit, sobrang laki na ngayon,” said Aquino in an interview with Eagle News’ Weng Dela Fuente.

Aquino said China has for too long trampled on the rights of the Philippines and that it was about time that the country demand that China show some respect.

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“Masyado nang nakasanayan ng kabila yung panlalamang nila na mahihirapan silang umatras sa posisyon na ‘yun. Magkaibigan tayo pero kailangang ipakita naman ng kaibigan natin na galangin ang ating mgakarapatan. Dapat naman siguro ipakita nila na kaya nilang galangin ang ating karapatan,” said Aquino.


He cited a Code of Conduct between China and Southeast Asia, which was agreed upon in 2002 but only finalized in 2012, which should be enforced in the face China’s militarization and incursions in disputed waters.

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“ Isa sa mga nakalagay na importante, wag tayong gagawa ng mga hakbang na magpapataas ng tension. Ngayon siguro naman dapat ipaalala ng ASEAN sa China, ang dami mong ginawang isla. Itong mga islang ito, nilagyan mo pa ng mga facilities at features na magdadagdag sa tension sa lugar na ito,” said Aquino.



“Baka naman pwedeng galangin mo ‘yung ating pinagkasunduan noong 2002 na hindi tayo magdadagdag ng tension, lalo na kung ang gusto mo ay magkaroon ng kapayapaan at pare-pareho tayong umunlad,” he added.

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This article first appeared on Politiko.