Philippines' Duterte says China still a benefactor, denounces minister's 'rude' comments, SE Asia News & Top Stories – The Straits Times

MANILA (BLOOMBERG) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said China remains a benefactor, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to increase vaccine delivery from the mainland amid brewing tensions in disputed waters. “China remains our benefactor,” Mr Duterte said in a taped televised briefing on Monday (May 3) evening. “Just because we have a conflict with China doesn’t mean to say that we have to be rude and disrespectful.” Mr Duterte made the comment after Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin earlier on Monday, using his personal Twitter account, lashed at Beijing in an expletive-laced demand for China to remove ships…