‘No protocol breach in Duterte-Xi meeting’

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto yesterday cleared former president Rodrigo Duterte of any breach of protocol with his recent visit to China.

In a statement sent to reporters covering the House of Representatives, Recto declared that Duterte “did not breach protocol when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week.”

“This is not the first time a former president has been officially received abroad. Even in their retirement, (former) presidents (Fidel) Ramos and (Gloria Macapagal-) Arroyo got red carpet treatment from foreign leaders,” Recto said.

The former senator also remarked that Duterte’s “warm relations with Beijing can be a direct line that could ease tension in West Philippine Sea such as a stop to Chinese harassment of Filipinos peacefully fishing in the area.”

“In diplomacy, the backchannel can be as valuable as the official channel in promoting the national interest,” Recto said.

He added that the ex-president “can fill a vacuum in the country’s relationship with China, which has been frayed by territorial disputes.”

China has been the Philippines’ key trading partner for a long time.

“We cannot just be talking with the Americans. We have to talk to everybody or to everyone concerned. Like those that we have had a quarrel with,” Recto said. “That’s why we are a friend to all and enemy to none. Even our very own perceived enemies, we cannot just ignore them.”