Duterte to China: I can sell disputed isles to you when no more war threat

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday raised the possibility of selling China the Philippines’ territories in the South China Sea if the country was wealthy enough and if there was no more threat of war in the region.

Duterte made the remark in an effort to allay the worries of China after he announced military occupation of the nine Philippine isles in the Spratly Islands on Thursday.

“We do not mean harm to China. We are friends, as a matter of fact. Maybe when we get rich, very rich, I can sell the land to you for—inyo na when the spectacle of a war is gone and nothing is dangerous to the Philippines,” he said in a press conference before flying to the Middle East for the Holy Week.

Duterte, however, did not provide details on this plan.

He added that he did not even intend to put weapons in the Philippine-controlled isles when the infrastructure is beefed up.

Duterte, nonetheless, adverted to island grabbing and weapons installations in the disputed formations.

“So, for the information of China, we are not going to place there any offensive weapons, not even one gun. We are just there to claim the island for us because that is really ours," Duterte said.

"And I have ordered the Armed Forces to build structures there to signify to all na atin ito ang lagyan ng flag and structures. We do not mean harm to China. We are friends,” he said.

As he assured China of the Philippines’ friendship, Duterte also revealed of the United States’ and other nations' alleged stockpiling of missiles in the disputed maritime areas.

“But for as long as the ruckus continues and I said I have heard and believe me na maglagay diyan ng battery of missiles, shoulder-fired to surface-to-surface, hindi ako papayag niyan. Kaya sabi ko, ‘Occupy and claim it as ours,’” Duterte said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over Duterte's order to the military to occupy the disputed islands during his visit to the Western Command in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Thursday.

“China can relax. We are friends. We will not go to war with you. We’re just trying to maintain the balance of the geopolitical situation there," Duterte said.

"Lahat kumukuha eh. Tapos, those are islands are vacant and with the developments of the fast rate of arms being placed there, baka maunahan pa ako at mapapasubo ako,” he added.

“But to all and sundry, ‘yang diyan na in-occupy natin atin na ‘yan, that’s ours and we’ll hang on to it,” Duterte said. —NB, GMA News