TINIYAK ni Pangulong Duterte ang pagkampi ng Pilipinas sa Amerika sakaling madamay ang mga Pinoy sa pagganti ng Iran.
“The President was very specific in saying last night that if the Filipinos are harmed, he will side with the Americans,” sabi ni Presidential Spokesperson at Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
Idinagdag ni Panelo na inatasan na ni Duterte si Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Abdullah Mamao na iparating ang kanyang mensahe sa Iran.
“That is precisely why he is specifically instructed Secretary Mamao to go to Iran and Iraq and deliver special message to the Iraqi and Iranian government of his urgent desire and wish that no Filipinos be harmed in the course of the conflict. If they will harm the Filipinos, then the President will not sit down idly and watch,” ayon pa kay Panelo.
Nauna nang inamin ni Duterte na kinakabahan siya sa napipintong gera sa pagitan ng US at Iran kasabay ng panawagan sa Kongreso magsagawa ng special session para mapaghandaan ang napipintong krisis.