Presidential spokesman Harry Roque (ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as the Philippines announced that it has protested the hostile acts exhibited by the Chinese Coast Guard against Philippine Coast Guard vessels in Bajo de Masinloc on April 24-25, 2021.
In his press briefing on Monday, Roque said it was not true that Duterte’s call to China fell on deaf ears because 201 of the 220 vessels in the disputed waters already left the area.
“Let me clarify that the President was ignored–that’s not true,” he said.
“Mga bente na lang po ang natitira diyan. I think 201 fishing vessels po ang umalis (I think there’s only around 20 vessels left there. I think 201 fishing vessels have left) and all because of the message of the President and the warm relations we enjoy with China,” he added.