Tugon ito ng Palasyo ng Malakanyang sa pahayag ni Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua na duda ang kanilang hanay na hindi ididiga ni Pangulong Duterte ang ruling at hindi kinikilala at hindi patitinag ang China.
Sa panayam ng Radyo Inquirer, sinabi ni Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo na hindi tatalikuran ni Pangulong Duterte ang pakikipag-negosasyon.
“That is the position and right of China not to budge on their position. In the same way that it is our right not to budge in ours. Ganyan talaga yan e. Pero that will not stop the President from raising the issue of the arbitral ruling. You know when friends meet, they can always discuss anything… And if true friendship is present then both parties will be open to any discussion. Pag-uusapan lang,” pahayag ni Panelo.
Ayon kay Panelo, walang masama kung idiga ang ruling ng isang international court.
Narito ang bahagi ng pahayag ni Panelo:
