Duterte calls PH-China arbitral win 'trash paper'

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte belittled the country's 2016 legal victory against China by stating that the arbitral ruling is just a piece of paper fit to be thrown in the trash.

Duterte made this statement during a televised speech on Wednesday, expressing frustration over the lack of tangible results despite pursuing the decision.

Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified on Thursday that Duterte's remark was not his position but rather China’s stance towards the ruling.

Roque emphasized that China ignored and did not participate in the arbitration proceedings, hence their reaction to the ruling is what Duterte referred to as 'throwing it in the waste basket.'.