Bongbong Marcos: Ex-President Duterte doesn’t need permission to see Xi

Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping | REUTERS file photo

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday defended former President Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to Marcos, Duterte did not inform him he was meeting with the Chinese leader because it was no longer needed, saying they’re friends.

“Nag-permiso? Hindi naman kailangan… Alam ko naman na pupunta siya. At magkaibigan sila, magkakilala sila. So I hope that napagusapan nila yung mga isyu na ngayon na mga nakikita natin, yung mga shadowing, yung mga kung anu-ano,” said Marcos in an ambush interview in Tondo, Manila.

(Permission? No longer needed. I know that he will go. And since they are friends, they know each other. So I hope they have discussed the current issues we see, such as the shadowing and various other matters.)

Marcos said that he hoped to see that they spoke about things that would bring about progress, as he believes that the goal is a continued dialogue with China.

“I welcome any new lines of communication,” said Marcos.

The President hoped that their talks would bring about something helpful.

“I am sure that he will have a hindi naman report. I am sure he will be able to tell us what happened during their conversation and see how that affects us,” he said.

Duterte stirred conversation when pictures of him and Xi circulated on the news, prompting people to question what they had spoken about.

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