(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 17, raised the question of whether or not the United States would go to war to defend the Philippines in its dispute with China over claims in the West Philippine Sea.
Without directly answering the question, Duterte said a nuclear war, however, would result in a catastrophe.
“Kasi kapag nag nuclear war ubos man tayong lahat sa mundong ito. Russia bitawan niya lahat, bitawan ng China, bitawan ng Britain puro atomic nuclear,” he said.
Duterte has reiterated going to war against China was out of the question, saying both countries should “meet halfway” in the West Philippine Sea dispute.
He recently told China to “lay off” Pag-Asa Island, which has been surrounded by Chinese vessels believed controlled by militiamen.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin has filed a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of the vessels there.
The Palace has said if the presence of Chinese vessels near Kota Island was proven, the Philippines would file another protest.
The strong statements issued by the government against China over the dispute in the West Philippine Sea are a contrast to their previous statements.
Earlier, Duterte promised he would raise the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea at the right time.
In his recent visit to the Philippines, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of the United States, which has signed the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines that required the US to aid the Philippines if the “metropolitan” country was attacked, said it was in the US’ interest to ensure freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea.