Duterte: Dragging US into South China Sea dispute will bring Philippines closer to war

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night disagreed with suggestions that the Philippines involve the United States in its dispute with China over the country's exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte made the remark in Malacañang as he stressed that he was protecting the interests of Filipinos in not risking war with China over the two countries' overlapping claims in the South China Sea.

"'Yung mga scholarly exposition, don't give me that shit. Hanggang diyan na lang kayo sa libro ninyo," Duterte told reporters. "I have to protect the interest of my country the life of the Filipino, 110 million."

"Bakit tawagin mo ang America? That will all the more bring us to the verge of war," he added. 

It was Senator Panfilo Lacson who first said that the country could invoke the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty, an agreement that was signed in 1951 and one that has US officials calling the country "a treaty ally."

"The MDT is the only 'weapon' in our arsenal. No less than (US Secretary of State) Sec Mike Pompeo said as much recently," Lacson said.

"We're not praying for WW3 (World War III), just a balance of power being felt in the WPS (West Philippine Sea), unless we can stomach being pushed around forever. Just a thought," he added.

He was referring to the statement issued by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last March. Pompeo had said the United States would come to the Philippines’ aid if it comes under attack in the disputed South China Sea.

Lacson made the remark after an allision occurred on June 9, 2019 involving a Chinese fishing vessel and a Filipino boat occurred at Recto Bank which was part of the country's exclusive economic zone—a territory which is also being claimed by China.

Meanwhile, Duterte pointed out that it was the previous administration that ordered the withdrawal of the Philippine ship from Scarborough Shoal and allowed China to tighten its grip on the disputed waters.

"It was the time of Albert (former Foreign Affairs chief Albert Del Rosario). Nandoon ‘yung isang barko, binangga ni Admiral Wong ng Navy natin... There was this confrontation during the time of Aquino," Duterte said.

"Albert on his own struck a deal with the Chinese and I think one government official of the United States, sabi nila, ‘sabay-sabay tayong mag-alis.’ And you know what Albert said? ‘Sige.’ Nauna siya, ‘paandarin mo na at alis na tayo.’ That day we lost the Scarborough Shoal," he added.

Moreover, Duterte underscored that when he became President, China has already "taken possession" of the South China Sea and was already displaying threats against other claimants.

"Ang naabutan ko ang arbitral ruling. When China was already there, had taken possession of the China Sea. And was ready saber-rattling. They said 'If anybody would try to get this territory from ours which is historical and a divine right, gulo tayo,'" he said.

The Duterte administration temporarily set aside the arbitral ruling on the territorial dispute at the South China Sea as it pursued strengthening ties with China.

Duterte repeatedly said that the Philippines is not ready to go to war against the Asian powerhouse. — Dona Magsino/NB/BAP, GMA News