In this photo taken Feb. 25, 2014 by surveillance planes and released Thursday, May 15, 2014, by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, a Chinese vessel, top center, is used to expand structures and land on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, at the Spratly Islands at South China Sea, Philippines. The Philippines has protested China’s reclamation of land in the disputed reef in the South China Sea that can be used to build an airstrip or an offshore military base in the increasingly volatile region, the country’s top diplomat and other officials said Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The white arrow was added by the source. (MNS photo)
DAVAO CITY (Mabuhay) – Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte revealed early Wednesday morning that he personally told US President Barack Obama that he is open to have bilateral talks with China over the disputed West Philippine Sea.
Duterte told reporters that during his phone conversation with Obama on Tuesday night, he assured that the Philippines will remain an ally of the US regarding disputes in the South China Sea.
“…I assured him [Obama] that we will continue with our mutual interests and that we are allied with the Western [World] in this issue on China Sea. But I gave him an inkling that, well, I would agree to just go with you,” Duterte told reporters.
“But if it goes on still waters, I said, there’s no wind to move the sail, I might opt to go bilateral,” he added.
Duterte said Obama urged him: “You should wait for the result of the arbitration.”
Obama’s call came while Duterte was recording a one-one-one television interview.
When Duterte returned to resume the recorded interview, he revealed that it was Obama who was on the other side of the line to congratulate win. The incoming Philippine President said that Obama is the first head of state to call him.
“Yes, of course. He’s the President of the United States. I am quite honored,” he said when asked what he felt with Obama’s call.
A senior Washington aide confirmed that Obama spoke by telephone with Duterte.
Duterte won the May 9 elections by a landslide.
Earlier, Duterte met with Chinese and the Japanese envoys in Davao City. He is also set to meet with the ambassador from Russia on Wednesday.
After spending a week to rest and spend time with his family, Duterte went on a 21-hour meet-and-greet at the Matina Enclaves hotel.
On Monday, Duterte held his first press conference after the May 9 elections where he announced the names of the possible members of his Cabinet.
He said that he was willing to give Cabinets seats to leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (MNS)