President Duterte Hoping And Praying That China Stays True To Its Word About WPS

Despite a lot of people still questioning whether China will stay true to their promise to stop its incursions in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is banking on it.

The president just came back from his 2-day official visit to Japan, which is also engaged in a maritime dispute against China. PRRD remains hopeful that Beijing will be true to its word that it will not build any more facilities in the West Philippine Sea.

“China has put it on record that near the Pag-asa Island and the Scarborough…China has committed to us not to build anything there. I hope that they would honor that commitment. I really hope and pray,”

Duterte also said that instead of conflicted wars, it is better of the problem is talked about. He said he cannot imagine himself in another violent solution or a suicide action.

“Other countries are also claiming islands because each country has an [exclusive economic zone under the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas). There are overlapping claims, and we can always resolve it by just talking,”

 “I cannot imagine myself being involved in a violent solution or almost a suicide action. There is no space for violence as an option, we should continue to talk.”

And as for criticism he has not been assertive enough with the country’s arbitration victory against China in The Hague, Duterte said he will bring up the ruling in due time.

“I hope we will reach that stage. And China is a good listener. Okay?”

“Once I commit to you as a President of a sovereign state, what comes out of my mouth is what it is. And it’s always a commitment with honor.”

 Source: Kicker Daily