Aquino on China talks: Be transparent

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Benigno Aquino III on Saturday urged the Duterte administration to be transparent in its talks with China on territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Aquino made the statement on the sidelines of Liberal International’s conferment of the “Prize for Freedom” award on detained opposition Sen. Leila de Lima in Quezon City Saturday evening.

“Pakiusap, baka pwede ipakita mga negosasyon. Maging transparent dito, mawala agam-agam ng mga kababayan natin (I am appealing, show the negotiations. Let us be transparent to erase doubts among our countrymen),” he told reporters in an ambush interview.

The lack of information on the negotiations from the government, Aquino said, would only result in speculations in people’s minds.

During his presidency, Aquino confronted China for its incursions in areas under the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ). His government obtained a favorable ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, which disputed Beijing’s claims over the West Philippine Sea.

However, Duterte has imposed a friendlier stance with China since he took office in June 2016.

Aquino also questioned why Filipino fishermen need to be allowed to fish in the country’s own exclusive economic zone when it is Philippine territory.

But he refused to make a categorical statement when asked if he is satisfied with the way the Duterte administration is handling the country’s territorial dispute with China.