President Rodrigo Duterte suddenly changed his tone on China’s claim to the disputed South China Sea during a speech at the Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo, Japan last week.

<>

ADS by Cloud 9:
.
– THIS SPACE BELOW IS RESERVE FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT –

<>

“I love China… but is it right for a country to claim the whole ocean?” Duterte said.

In an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, GMA resident analyst Richard Heydarian enumerated the possible reasons for Duterte’s sudden shift of tone during the event.

Heydarian said Duterte made the remark because he was in Japan. He added that the President knows how to play with his audience when doing a speech.

“Tinatantiya niya din ang kanyang audience. Magaling si Pangulong Duterte sa ganyan e. He adjusts to the audience. May pagka-chameleon-like siya e,” Heydarian said.

“Gusto niya ang Japan—unlike US and European countries—hindi nag-cri-criticize ng kanyang human rights track record,” he added.

Watch the video above for the full interview. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News