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Duterte: I called Xi Jinping to ask for vaccines, no sea talk


President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday admitted that he asked for COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese President Xi Jinping but emphasized that they did not discuss the disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

"Ito for public consumption na ito. Tumawag ako kay President Xi Jinping, sinabi ko kasi noong kasagsagan ng walang dumating, walang makapkap si Secretary (Carlito) Galvez (Jr.), sabi ko, 'Mr. President (Xi),  I would like to ask for your help until now Philippines is at a loss to get vaccines,'" Duterte said, recalling his phone conversation with Xi.

"Sabi niya (Xi), 'it's okay we will help you.' Ganoon lang. Hindi naman sinabi na kalimutan ang Scarborough Shoal... Sinabi niya lang as simple as that," Duterte added.

He also stood by his earlier statement that the Philippines owed China but stressed it is not an excuse to sacrifice Philippines' territorial waters.

"It is never wrong to admit a debt of gratitude but it would be wrong as an excuse to maybe retreat. There will be no compromise. Alam ng China yan," Duterte said.

"Hindi ito kabayaran. Iba ito. This is Philippine national interest, this is not a health issue that nagpasalamat ako," the President added.

In a previous speech, the 76-year-old leader said the country owes debt of gratitude to China, citing the donated Sinovac vaccines that were used to launch the country's nationwide COVID-19 immunization campaign in March.

Duterte further said the government will observe China's actions in the disputed waters as Chinese vessels continue to occupy the West Philippine Sea.—LDF, GMA News

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