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

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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.  /