DESPITE WIDESPREAD public criticism for his weak response on China’s aggressiveness in the West Philippine Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte now said his administration will remain neutral amid the escalating conflict between Beijing and Taiwan.
Duterte said he was relieved that there is no
tension in the West Philippine Sea even though Chinese Coast Guard continue to
harass Filipino fishermen and civilian and military vessels in the area.
China, the Philippines, and several other littoral
states have overlapping claims in the West Philippine Sea. In a 2016 arbitral
ruling, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that Beijing’s
nine-dash line, a demarcation that covers almost 80 percent of the South China
Sea, is illegal.
“Mabuti na
lang wala pang gulo dito sa (South China Sea). Kung sabihin nila na mag-gulo sila tapos
gamitin, eh, I would never allow that for as long as I sit as
President. Hindi na tayo magsali
diyan sa. How can we match the firepower of China?” he said.
“Itong issue ng Taiwan. If it goes South, one simple mistake,
miscalculation diyan, pagkatumama
‘yan sa, ‘yung mga missiles nila ulanin ‘yung Taiwan, then there is really war,” he added.
Duterte said it is best to avoid conflict because it
does not concern the Philippines.
“I said that minuscule lang tayo diyan sa power play nila. It does not concern us. We do not have the,
except ‘yung South
China Sea issue, which we’ll have to handle with the utmost diplomatic talent
because we are not ready to confront China. Not at this time,” he said. “We
have the problem and it does not give us any reason to rise up in arms against
China. That would be the most foolish thing that can ever happen there. We stay
neutral. Bahala sila.”
In October, tensions between China and Taiwan
escalated when Beijing stepped up military activities near Taiwan which China
insists is part of its territory. Taiwan said it is ready to defend its
territories against China’s aggression. (Mindanao Examiner)
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