Duterte: Why did US allow Chinese structures in PHL-claimed isles?

Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed doubt over the sincerity of the US as a treaty ally after it supposedly allowed the construction of Chinese facilities in Philippine territory in the disputed South China Sea.

Duterte made the remarks amid reports that China deployed surface-to-air missile systems on one of the disputed islands in the disputed waters.

"Sinasabi ko nga bakit ito dumating sa panahon na ganito. Iyong ginagawa pa iyong (structures sa) Spratly ng China, nandiyan naman iyong 7th fleet (US Navy) nila sa Pacific, bakit hindi nila pinuntahan doon at pinara nila na this is a violation of international law, you cannot put structures kanang (that are) man-made," Duterte told reporters at the University of the Philippines.

Duterte asked why the US failed to act on the Chinese activities right away in the disputed territories.

"To that extent, yes. Because I am still surprised until now na pinaabot nila iyong problema na ganito kabigat," Duterte said.

"Magpakamatay ba ang Amerikano para sa atin?" he added.

Duterte said Philippines don't have the means to go to war. With this, he asked if the US will always be the Philippines' ally.

"Do you think we can match the military strength of China? The most critical question is: Will the Americans be on our side at that moment? Iyan ang mahirap," Duterte said.

Asked how he will handle China's recent move, Duterte joked: "Kwitis. Kwitis iyong malaki sa Bulacan."

On a serious note, he replied, "I will go there. Dala ako ng (Philippine) flag, tanim ko doon sa airport nila. Kung gusto nila ako patyon (patayin), eh di sige."

In his previous statements, Duterte said he is open to have bilateral talks and joint explorations with China while pursuing with the arbitration case in The Hague. -NB, GMA News