Duterte willing to ‘go to war’ to defend PH Rise

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the opening ceremony of the National Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Challenge at the Team Davao Inc. Pistol and Rifle Range in Ma-a, Davao City on March 1, 2018, expresses his admiration for the SWAT’s role in dealing with criminality, illegal drugs and terrorism. KIWI BULACLAC/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, March 1, said that he is ready to “go to war” to defend Philippine Rise, formerly known as Benham Rise, saying that he would even ride a boat to the plateau to secure it.

Speaking at the opening ceremonies of the National Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) Challenge in Davao City, Duterte reiterated that he would not allow anyone to conduct an experiment nor begin exploration talks in the Philippine Rise without his permission.

“Hindi talaga ako papayag, and it will mean war. Nandoon na ‘yung mga Marines. Huwag kayong matakot, kasali ako doon. Sabay tayo sa barko (I will definitely not allow it and it will mean war. The Marines are there already so do not be scared. I will join them, I will ride on the boat with them),” the President said.

“We will never agree to an insult like that na just because ganito lang tayo (We are at this rate). Kaya sabi ko (That’s why I said), “you start to f*** with that — in that area — I’ll go to war,” he added.

The Chief Executive also said that he is willing to sacrifice his own life to protect the continental shelf.

“Wala man tayong armas (We may not be equipped with arms) — wala man tayong cruise missile (We may not have cruise missile) — but do not mess up with us because we will not allow it. And if you have to… If it’s time to go to heaven, so be it. Huwag kayong matakot, mauna ako doon. Maniwala kayo, mauna ako doon (Do not be scared, I will be the first one there. Believe me, I will go first),” Duterte stressed.

In the same speech, however, the President told his audience not to take his remarks seriously during the campaign period wherein he said he would ride a jetski to guard islands in the West Philippine Sea from China.

“Iyong sabi ko mag-jet ski ako doon sa China, kalokohan ‘yon (When I said I would take a jet ski going to China, that was a joke),” he said, provoking waves of laughter from his audience.

During his speech at the inauguration of a housing project for residents of Marawi City on Wednesday, Duterte already said that countries seeking to perform experiments and research as well as fishing in the plateau should get his permission first.

“Otherwise, no. I will not allow fishing, I will not…magkagiyera tayo (We are going to have war),” the President said.

Malacañang, however, clarified that the Chief Executive’s statement that incursions into the Philippine Rise would provoke war was not intended for China.

“China has already recognized that we have sovereign rights over the area,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

“The President is firm in his stance that any country that wishes to conduct research or any other study in the Philippine Rise would first need to secure the approval of the Philippine government through the National Security Adviser,” he added.

The Chinese government earlier moved to name five underwater features in the Philippine Rise.

According to a Facebook post by Dr. Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines (UP) Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, the International Hydrographic Organization-Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (IHO-IOC GEBCO) SCUFN approved the names that China submitted.

China submitted the names Jinghao Seamount, Tianbao Seamount, Haidonquing Seamount, Cuiqiao Hill, and Jujiu Seamount.

However, these names were not recognized by the Philippine government, saying that it will continue giving Filipino names to the undersea features.

The Palace expressed hope that China will not hold it against the Philippines if it has decided not to acknowledge the names they have given since the latter has the sovereign rights over the region.