Duterte talks to Chinese envoy at Aguinaldo Shrine in Cavite

KAWIT, Cavite – President Rodrigo Duterte briefly talked to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippine Zhao Jianhua at the Aguinaldo Shrine here following reports of Chinese harassment on Filipinos at the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte led the 120th Independence Day Celebration here with Zhao as among the guests.

Duterte and Zhao were seen talking from the window of Aguinaldo’s house here.

Before their brief talk, Zhao was also seen talking to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

On Monday, Filipino fishermen who went to Malacañang said China was apparently still in control of the Scarborough shoal as Chinese Coast Guard remains in the disputed shoal while some Chinese have allegedly been taking their fish harvest away from them.

Reports earlier said that a China chopper harassed a Philippine Navy boat on a resupplying mission at Ayungin Shoal.            /kga