Duterte: I see no reason why war would break out with China over the West Philippine Sea

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday maintained that the Philippines could not give up its sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, but stressed that a war with China was still improbable.

During the commissioning of the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Melchora Aquino (MRV 9702 ), Duterte mentioned the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, saying that such a situation was why negotiations with China continued.

“I cannot really find a very cogent reason why war breaks out. That is why tayo sa Pilipinas, vis a vis sa China... I'm glad they have also adapted the same behavior. We continue to talk,” he said.

The President further stressed that Filipinos would suffer if a war broke out between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea dispute.

“We cannot afford fighting with China. We cannot win and we will lose and the population will suffer. The Filipino nation will be in a tight situation in wondering how to go about navigating geopolitical issues in Europe and here in Taiwan. Ako, I’m praying that this will be sorted out by just talking. There is no need to kill a human being,” he added.

The Philippine government sued China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2013.

The court ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.

The court also deemed the Panatag Shoal a common fishing ground and prohibited China from taking aggressive action against Filipino fishermen there.

Beijing, however, did not recognize the ruling.

Further, Duterte said he hoped that the PCG would let him go to the West Philippine Sea as a civilian to assert the Philippines’ claim over the waters.

In May, the PCG said that it established Command Observation Posts on Likas, Lawak, and Parola Islands. This was expected to improve the Coast Guard's maritime domain awareness in the West Philippine Sea. — DVM, GMA News