Arroyo backs Duterte on Recto Bank incident: He knows what he's doing

Former President and incumbent House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday threw her support behind President Rodrigo Duterte on his actions regarding the Recto Bank incident, where a Chinese vessel sank a Filipino boat carrying 22 fishermen.

Arroyo said the Philippines can be friends with China while protecting our national interest.

When asked about China’s proposal for a joint investigation on the Recto Bank incident, Arroyo said: “I support Pres. Duterte because he knows what he’s doing. And he wants to be friends with China and at the same time of course, he is promoting the national interest. Which is also my attitude."

"We want to be friends with China but the parameter’s also the national interest. That is the same parameter that Pres. Duterte is espousing so I support fully whatever will be his action there," added the former chief executive. — MDM, GMA News