WEST PHILIPPINE SEA | Duterte says Xi Jinping warned ‘there might be trouble’ over maritime row

May 6, 2021 , 12:04 PM

(May 6, 2021) – With mounting calls for him to assert the country’s sovereignty, President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night said China President Xi Jinping warned him of possible trouble should the Philippines continue to lay claim to the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte said in a past meeting with Xi in China, he talked about possibly digging for oil and claiming other resources in the West Philippine Sea. Xi, however, told him of the possible consequences if Duterte pushes through.

“Mr. Xi Jinping said ‘You do not do that.’ I said ‘Why Mr. President? That’s ours. We are claiming it as ours.’ Sabi niya ‘Yes, but whatever your claim is, huwag mong gawin ‘yan.’ Sabi ko ‘Why?’ In whispers, he said ‘Do not do that because there might be trouble,'” said Duterte in his public address,
noting that Department of Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana was present during the meeting.

Duterte said Xi’s response made him withdraw his claims in the West Philippine Sea, stressing that the United Nations’ support did not matter at that point despite having the favorable ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

“Nagprangka-prangka (na ang China), sinabi na there will be trouble. So magpunta ka man ng United Nations, magpunta ka ng Amerika, magpunta ka kung saang impiyerno kung gusto mong tulong, pagdating mo papel lang ang dala mo. O anong gusto mo, trouble is away ’yan. Kaya mo?””said Duterte.

Similar to the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam have had to deal with China’s bullying tactics on disputed waters, but this didn’t result in any forceful retribution.

China and Indonesia have been quarreling over Natuna Islands, with the world power enforcing its nine-dash line claim. Indonesia, however, has fired back, with President Joko Widodo even personally going to Natuna Islands.

Vietnam and China, meanwhile, have been bickering over different territories in the South China Sea. Last February, Vietnam increased its military presence in the disputed areas to defend its sovereign rights.

Despite Indonesia and Vietnam standing pat against China over the years, no war has ensued.

Duterte, however, has repeatedly expressed his fear of China possibly starting a war “we can’t win” because of the West Philippine Sea issue. He also said the Philippines should not issue provoke China with aggressive statements.

“China remains to be our benefactor and just because we have a conflict with China does not mean to say that we have to be rude and disrespectful,” said Duterte last Monday.

On Wednesday, he also stressed his seemingly defeatist stance that the Philippines cannot uphold the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea since they are just a “piece of paper.”

“Sa totoong buhay, ’yang papel, wala ’yan. Sa usapang bugoy, sabihin ko sa’yo, ibigay mo sa akin, p***** ***ng ina papel lang ‘yan. Itatapon ko ‘yan sa waste basket,” said Duterte, who used to be a lawyer.

(Kiko Demigillo/PM)

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