President Rodrigo Duterte chose to take a step back on the recent issue of China allegedly seizing Sandy Cay near Pag-asa Island, putting emphasis on distancing from a fight with China that, according to him, could cause the lives of Filipinos.
“Why should I defend a sandbar and kill the Filipinos because of a sandbar?” he said.
When asked why there are Chinese Coast Guards in Sandy Cay, the president answered that they are just patrolling the disputed waters because the Philippines and China are friends.
Furthermore, the president is confident that China won’t snatch Islands in the West Philippine Sea.
He said, “China assured me that they will not build anything there. They called me up, the ambassador; we will assure you that we are not building anywhere there.”
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 08 / 23 / 17)