The Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague, in a ruling last July 12, invalidated China’s massive claim in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea and upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over areas seized or claimed by the Chinese. PCA/Released
President Duterte has apparently mellowed even further on his sentiments about the United States, reiterating yesterday he did not seek the pullout of American forces as the Philippines would need its ally in defending the country from intrusions in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea.
“I said there will be some time in the future that I will ask the US special forces to get out, almost 117 of them, better that you get out so that I can talk peace… and so I can show that you are not there,” he said in a speech before the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Mawab, Compostela Valley.
“I never said get out of the Philippines. For after all, we need them in (South) China Sea,” Duterte added.
Under Duterte’s administration, the Philippines has been trying to establish better relations with China despite the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s recent ruling that Beijing’s claims over the whole of the South China Sea through the nine-dash line did not have any legal basis.
On Sept. 12 in Malacañang, Duterte said he wanted the US soldiers to get out of Mindanao because they might be kidnapped. This was after he repeated his story on the Bud Dajo massacre to point out the Americans’ lack of moral ascendancy to talk about human rights.
After a few days, Duterte clarified in Bulacan he wanted American troops to leave Mindanao so that the government would have “space” to hold peace talks with Moro rebels.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/09/21/1625911/we-need-us-south-china-sea-duterte
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