ASIAN POLITICS-CHINA 9-LINE : Duterte: ‘We cannot win a battle against China’

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is accompanied by People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping prior to the start of the dinner hosted by the Chinese President at the Boao State Guesthouse on April 10, 2018.
(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

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President Duterte is not keen on displaying “braggadocio” over the territorial dispute with China, as he ruled out anew going to war with the Asian superpower.

The President admitted that some groups have been pressuring him to take stronger action to assert the country’s ownership of the West Philippine Sea but insisted that the country would only lose a battle with China.

“We cannot afford a war. We cannot win a battle against China and I would only lose maybe thousands of my troops and policemen,” he said during the inauguration of a new bridge in Davao City.

“It’s not time to be braggadocio. Pinipilit nila ako. Nandun naman yung problema noon [they are compelling me (to do something) but the problem has been there for so long],” he said.

Duterte recognized that just like in the past, only the United States is capable to confront the military might of China amid reports of military buildup in the region.

He, however, lamented America did nothing to stop China when it was starting the reclamation works in the South China Sea years ago.

“At that time, it was only America and until now who can really confront China militarily but they did not nothing. They allowed it to blossom from one camp to a garrison, now with all its armaments,” he said.

“Bakit nila hinintay? Bakit hindi sila pumunta doon when you know all along, now and then, then and now, wala talaga tayong kakayanan na makipag-gyera [we have no capability to wage war],” he added.

Last Tuesday, the President said he wanted to take a stronger, even a violent stance, to defend the country’s claims in the disputed territory but decided against it due to its disastrous impact. Duterte said going to war with China would only result in a “great loss,” particularly the death of government troops.

Some groups have called on the President to assert the country’s ownership of the territory following the recent deployment of Chinese planes and installation of missile systems on the disputed region.

The government earlier claimed that it does not consider China as a threat to national security but has expressed concern about the reported presence of Chinese bombers in one of the islands due to its impact on peace and stability in the region.

In his remarks in Davao, Duterte reiterated that he already told Chinese President Xi Jinping about the country’s ownership of the West Philippine Sea and his decision to dig oil in the area.

He said Xi, however, advised him not to stir up trouble amid the country’s revitalized ties with China and proposed instead for a joint oil exploration in the region.

Duterte realized that starting a quarrel with China would do no good, and agreed to the oil exploration project.

esident admitted that some groups have been pressuring him to take stronger action to assert the country’s ownership of the West Philippine Sea but insisted that the country would only lose a battle with China.

“We cannot afford a war. We cannot win a battle against China and I would only lose maybe thousands of my troops and policemen,” he said during the inauguration of a new bridge in Davao City.

“It’s not time to be braggadocio. Pinipilit nila ako. Nandun naman yung problema noon [they are compelling me (to do something) but the problem has been there for so long],” he said.

Duterte recognized that just like in the past, only the United States is capable to confront the military might of China amid reports of military buildup in the region.

He, however, lamented America did nothing to stop China when it was starting the reclamation works in the South China Sea years ago.

“At that time, it was only America and until now who can really confront China militarily but they did not nothing. They allowed it to blossom from one camp to a garrison, now with all its armaments,” he said.

“Bakit nila hinintay? Bakit hindi sila pumunta doon when you know all along, now and then, then and now, wala talaga tayong kakayanan na makipag-gyera [we have no capability to wage war],” he added.

Last Tuesday, the President said he wanted to take a stronger, even a violent stance, to defend the country’s claims in the disputed territory but decided against it due to its disastrous impact. Duterte said going to war with China would only result in a “great loss,” particularly the death of government troops.

Some groups have called on the President to assert the country’s ownership of the territory following the recent deployment of Chinese planes and installation of missile systems on the disputed region.

The government earlier claimed that it does not consider China as a threat to national security but has expressed concern about the reported presence of Chinese bombers in one of the islands due to its impact on peace and stability in the region.

In his remarks in Davao, Duterte reiterated that he already told Chinese President Xi Jinping about the country’s ownership of the West Philippine Sea and his decision to dig oil in the area.

He said Xi, however, advised him not to stir up trouble amid the country’s revitalized ties with China and proposed instead for a joint oil exploration in the region.

Duterte realized that starting a quarrel with China would do no good, and agreed to the oil exploration project.  /

Updated By Genalyn Kabiling
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ICC & Trillanes will soon drag & throw DuTae in jail…. YEBA !!!
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    Hopefully he will not make the PH a part of China before his term is over

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      I don’t know why he keeps on insisting that going to war is his only option. Every time he opens his mouth “we cannot win against China or I will lose a lot of my soldiers” come out. What kind of excuse is that?

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        …that scare tactics and he’s a sell out f_uckk!!!

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        Then maybe you can state for us the “options” that is there ,aside from going to war. Obviously the Hague award is really just a piece of paper since China doesn’t recognize it…we may have the “moral” ownership of that islets and sea, but when in time does a “moral” becomes such a weapon? In History the so called “Moral” winners always ends up dead, often called a martyr or a hero…..much like our Katipuneros battling the Americans with “make-believe guns”
        So please share with us the “options” that I think is HIGHLY sought out by a lot of people and probably also DU30… let us hear what could appease those people who insist in taking a step about this issue and hopefully, our “moral” ownership of Scarborough Shoal and several others can be fulfilled.

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        That is not an excuse of a coward but of a TRAITOR, masquerading as someone who cares about Filipino lives.

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    Bugok ang utak ampaw na prez na ito…wala na ba ibang options itong lameduck prez kundi ang laglag balls nya? Sya lng nagsasabi ng giyera at sya lang dakdak ng dakdak…puro laway eh o baka meron syang utang na loob sa tsina? me sayad talaga..

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    ….Duterte’s kiss ass attitude on Greedy China will land him the same fate of Benito Mussolini. Your own soldiers and people will hang you upside down and spit you!!!

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