Duterte open to joint exercises with China in Sulu Sea

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said that he was open to have joint exercises with China not only in the South China Sea but also in the Sulu Sea.

Duterte made the remark after visiting China's flagship destroyer Changchun that docked at the Sasa Port in Davao City.

“Yes, I said I agree. We can have joint exercises in Mindanao, maybe in the Sulu Sea,” Duterte told reporters.

Duterte as early as October last year, Duterte said he was open to have military exercises with China and Russia in the South China Sea.

He indicated then that he would end war games with the United States.

The Philippines has claims that overlap with those of China in the South China Sea.

The country has received a favorable ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2015.

The tribunal invalidated China's historical claims over most of the South China Sea including those of the Philippines based on the United Nations Conventions on the Laws of the SEa.

Duterte only had praises for the Chinese warship, which had an array of arms, including missile launchers.

“Very impressive. It’s clean, and even the carpeting—it’s all carpeted inside. It’s like a hotel, actually,” Duterte said.

He also said that the port call was part of confidence-building and goodwill.

“And to show we are friends, that’s why I welcomed them here, and I am the one who asked for it. ‘Show me your warships,’” he said.

Duterte denied that the Chinese military offered aid to the Philippines’ forces.

“The military is not allowed to do that, they’re only authorized to talk within their own ambit of ships. But very limited information,” Duterte said. —NB, GMA News