Five Philippine presidents meet to discuss negotiation strategy with China

The new Philippine president met with four former leaders of the country yesterday to discuss the sovereignty dispute with China.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (center) and former leaders of the country. Photo: Reuters.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte convened the National Security Council primarily to discuss the government's strategy in negotiating with China for a solution to lingering tensions in the South China Sea, Philippine officials said.

According to AP, the four former Philippine presidents attending the meeting included Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III. This was the largest gathering of former Philippine leaders in the history of the Republic of the Philippines.

Inviting former heads of state to council meetings is a Philippine tradition, but this gathering was a show of solidarity among former Philippine presidents who once held opposing political views.

In addition to the dispute with China, Mr Duterte also plans to discuss other security issues, including the anti-drug campaign.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, on July 12 issued a ruling in the Philippines' lawsuit, affirming that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to resources within its "cow tongue line" claim, also known as the "nine-dash line" that it unilaterally drew, covering almost the entire area of ​​the East Sea. US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Beijing and Manila to discuss after the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal.

According to VNE