MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Shortly before Rodrigo Duterte left for Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum, Senator Risa Hontiveros dared the Philippine President to stand up to China’s interests and bring up the presence of Chinese vessles around Philippine-held Pag-asa Island.

He “must use the visit as an opportunity to display diplomatic bravery, using our victory at The Hague as a fundamental guidepost to defend Philippine sovereignty,” she said

(Many in the Opposition have accused Duterte of being a puppet of China.)

Not too long after Duterte arrived from Beijing, the news media reported that China has begun withdrawing its vessels from the West Philippine Sea.

The Adobo Chronicles reached out to Hontiveros for comment on the reported Chinese withdrawal and her only comment was:

”Ang China ay tuta ni Duterte” (China is a puppet of Duterte)

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.