By NG Seruela
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday (April 19) maintained his position on avoiding tension with China in relation to the territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea to protect the lives of Filipinos.
In his weekly public address, the President pointed out that the Philippines can only “retake” the WPS “by force.”
He added that there will be “no way” of taking the Philippine Sea back “without bloodshed.”
Duterte also said promoting war between China and America will cost the lives of many Filipinos.
“You know, the issue of the West Philippine Sea remains to be a question forever until such time that you know, we can take it back. Ang akin niyan is walang iba, giyera lang. [For me, there is no other way (to reclaim it) but through war]. “
The Chief Executive emphasized that the Philippine government “wants to remain friends” with the Chinese government.
“I am addressing myself to the Chinese government. We want to remain friends. We want to share whatever it is. Sinabi ko naman sa inyo sa [I told the] Chinese government, I’m not so much interested now in fishing. I don’t think there’s enough fish really to quarrel about.”
However, President Duterte stated that if the Chinese government will mine the area, he will put his foot down because it is “not part of the agreement.”
“Sabi nga ni Secretary Lorenzana, mga resupply natin, iyong mga Coast Guard natin [As Sec. Lorenzana has said, our resupplies by our Coast Guard], if they are driven away, I would tell them to stay put… But when we start to mine, when we start to get whatever it is in the bowels of the China Sea, sa ating [in our] oil, then by that time, I will send my ships there. I will send my gray ships there to state a claim,” he emphasized.
He added that when Philippine oil and other precious stones are being harvested, that is the time for the government to act on it. -jlo
