President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he would be “frank” with China in relation to the West Philippine Sea when he holds a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam this week.
In a speech during the 67th anniversary of the Philippine Marine Corps in Fort Santiago, Duterte pointed out that he would assert the country’s right amid China’s apparent construction spree in the Paracels, a group of islands that is claimed by Vietnam and China.
“I am tempted to tell you something of my theory but, you know, I’m going to APEC tomorrow and we’ll have the bilaterals,” Duterte said.
“It would be at the time that I will be frank with China also. I know where Xi’s going, the direction, and laro ito ng [it’s a game of] geopolitics. Sabi ko [I said], it would change the entire landscape of Southeast Asia if something goes wrong,” the President added.
“But you will have to trust me na pupunta ako doon [that I will go there]. But I will assert something and that is — or we will try to one day really put a stake to what we think is ours,” he said.
In the same speech, Duterte said he was counting on the Chinese president to not build structures on maritime areas claimed by both Philippines and China.
“Ang sinabi ko lang naman kay [I only said to] Mr. Xi Jinping, “Do not do… We will not give up our claims sa Pag-asa pati ‘yung [to Pag-asa] the nearby islands that we have occupied already. Small islands,” the Chief Executive said.
“Sabi niya [he said](Xi Jinping), “We will not.” And with this assurance he gave to the Foreign Secretary na hindi niya galawin [he would not tamper it]. He will not build something on the Scarborough Shoal,’ he added.
The Philippine President expressed his hope that Xi would “honor” his promise because it will change the entire geography of the world.
“And if—war starts, I don’t know what would be the next geographical division of Asia,” he said.
However, Duterte said now is not the time to talk about the arbitral tribunal in the Hague, Netherlands that has ruled in favor of the Philippines in its historic case against China in 2016.
Duterte said it would cause a troublesome situation since there are other countries with claims to parts of the West Philippine Sea.
“It is really geopolitics thing and we’ll just have to consider ourselves now not in a defensive position but to insist na ito muna ang atin at huwag tayong… Kasi kung [it is ours and we should not… Because if] we assert and go there, the other countries, Malaysia, I’m sure, and Indonesia, would also begin to push for what they think is their territory,” the President explained.
“I hope you understand that because I cannot afford to go to war. I — you know, I know that it would end up in a massacre,” Duterte added.
Duterte is expected to be present at the APEC Leaders’ Meeting from November 8 to 11, along with 20 other state leaders. He is scheduled to fly to Vietnam on Wednesday for the international gathering which started on November 6.