Panelo confirms Xi’s threat over PH’s oil exploration

MANILA – Chinese President Xi Jinping indeed issued a warning of “trouble” to President Rodrigo Duterte if the Philippines starts oil its exploration in the West Philippine Sea.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Monday said the warning was issued during the bilateral meeting between the two heads of state.

“Oo. Nasa ano ‘yun eh during the bilateral (meeting). Nandun kami, ‘yung mga Cabinet members nag-uusap,” Panelo said.

According to Panelo, Duterte “was not threatened” when Xi made the warning, but Panelo forgot what the President responded to the Chinese leader.

“Hindi, si Presidente naman he’s amiable pagdating sa ganyan. Naka-smile lang ‘yan,” Panelo said.

“Kumbaga parang ‘wag na ‘yan, may gulo pa diyan eh. Parang ganun ‘yung style. Kung ikaw naman ang President, So kung magaling ka eh dadahan-dahanin mo na lang siya,” he added.

“There are many ways of threatening you, of making you feel that I’m really sincere or talagang gagawin ko ‘yung sasabihin ko sa’yo. Si Presidente kasi he’s very sharp. Kahit nagbibiro ka, alam niya na tototohanin mo. Why will he force the issue?” Panelo said.

Duterte last week revealed Xi issued a warning over the Philippines’ plan to extract oil from the West Philippine Sea but Panelo downplayed the threat, saying it was only a friendly advice./PN