MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has disputed claims thrown by former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile against him over his role as the country’s back-channel negotiator between the Philippines and China during the 2012 standoff at Scarborough Shoal.
“Why did PNoy [former President Benigno Aquino III] appoint me as backchannel negotiator? Because he found me trustworthy unlike Enrile,” Trillanes said in a tweet late Monday.
“Wag nyo ibahin ang usapan, wala sa Scarborough ang problema. Nalutas na ni PNoy yun. Wala ng mga barko ng China sa loob nun. Wala ring reclamation dun. Nasa Spratlys ngayon ang problema na ayaw harapin ni [D]uterte,” he added.
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Keep on reading: ‘Check your facts:’ Trillanes disputes Enrile claims on 2012 back-channel talks with China