MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Saturday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is aware and is listening to the calls of students protesting against the signing of the Pax Silica initiative.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro responded to a question by The Manila Times, saying that while the government recognized their right to express themselves, Filipinos should be united as the country hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
“To the students, we hear your grievances, but has there been a representative of these students to discuss their individual concerns?” Castro said, urging the students to be diplomatic in their calls opposing the signing of the Pax Silica initiative.
“We are not saying that protests are futile; what we are saying is that constructive dialogue cannot be achieved through harassment,” she added.
