MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is “weaving tales” against the administration of Benigno Aquino III to mask “his incompetence” in stopping China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said on Tuesday. Enrile told Mr. Duterte that he had cautioned Aquino in 2012 against Trillanes’ involvement. He said the back-channeling accomplished its mission, as it paved the way for the withdrawal of some 180 Chinese ships from the shoal. They are probably not aware that Ambassador Brady arrived in Beijing in late July or early August, just as I was already wrapping up my mission with China,” Trillanes said. “In 2012, it is on record that there were about 80-100 Chinese ships there, but now, there’s none.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 18, 2021 20:59 UTC