Reuters file photo of President Rodrigo Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday told China not to be bothered by his order to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to occupy nine to 10 islands within the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), which China continues to claim even after the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal ruled in July 2016 that the Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights over the territories.
"China can relax. We are friends, we will not go to war with you. We are just trying to balance the geopolitical situation there," said Duterte during a press briefing at the Davao International Airport before leaving for the Middle East.
Duterte reiterated that he had ordered the military to occupy the islands but he said only structures and flags would be placed in the territories.
"For the information of China, we will not place there offensive weapons, not even one gun. I have already ordered the AFP to build structures to signify to all na atin ito [that these are ours]...lagyan ng [put] structures, flags," the President said.
The chief executive said he wanted all nine to 10 islands filled with structures and flags "so [these] cannot be further opened to explorations."
"They have to get permission from us," said Duterte.
He said he had ordered the AFP to put structures on the territories in anticipation of a possible "violent low intensity war over" the West Philippine Sea as other countries such as China, Vietnam, Taiwan, "are trying to position themselves [there] strategically."
"Baka maunahan pa ako, at baka mapasubo pa ako... I-occupy natin, sa atin na 'yan [Others might get first, I might be placed in an awkward situation...Let's occupy it, that's ours]" Duterte said.
He added that when he comes back from his official visits to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, he might issue an executive order renaming Benham Rise to Philippine Ridge.
"We will rename it the Philippine Ridge as our exclusive property."
http://interaksyon.com/article/138391/du30-to-china-relax-only-structures-flags-will-rise-in-west-ph-sea-territories
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