China Can Fish in Philippines' Exclusive Waters, Duterte Says
- This privilege is in exchange for Chinese aid, spokesman says
- Senators, magistrate say Duterte may be violating Constitution
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China can fish in parts of the South China Sea where the Philippines holds exclusive rights, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman said Wednesday, despite warnings from other officials this would be unconstitutional.
Duterte is giving China this “privilege” out of friendship, and because of funding and trade relations extended by Beijing to his government, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in an interview with local radio dzMM.