Analyst’s take on Duterte’s remarks about arms buildup in disputed sea

GMA News' resident analyst Richard Heydarian on Thursday said that President Rodrigo Duterte's remark that there is no point in questioning China's militarization of the South China Sea was "wrong."

In an interview on News To Go, Heydarian opposed Duterte's view that engaging in war with China was the only way to assert the Philippines' sovereign rights in the disputed Sea.

He said the Philippine government must file a diplomatic protest against China for the military buildup in the in the contested region.

Asked for comment about the "promise" of Chinese President Xi Jinping that he will protect Duterte from ouster attempts, Heydarian warned that the pronouncement could send a message to other countries that the Duterte was just relying on a "foreign power" for protection.

Heydarian said this could weaken the Philippines' leverage over its claims in the West Philippine Sea. —Anna Felicia Bajo/LBG, GMA News