The President of the Philippines spoke of the possibility of a military clash with China over the South Sea: “It would be bloody”

The President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Dutertesays he’s ready to send military ships to “recover” the oil and mineral resources of the South China Sea, while noting that defying Beijing in disputed waters will only lead to violence.

“If we go there to assert our jurisdiction, it will be bloody”Duterte said in a briefing Monday, according to Morning Message from South China, in what were his first statements after Hundreds of Chinese ships were spotted on a disputed reef in March.

“Now I’m not that interested in fishing. I don’t think there are enough fish to discuss, ”he said. He added that in future disputes over marine resources, he would send “Five Coast Guard Boats” That “Can Hunt” And “Play With Each Other To See Who Is Faster”, de acuerdo a South China Morning Post.

“But when we start to extract, to get everything that’s in the bowels of the China Sea, our oil, at that time I’ll send my gray ships there to claimHe assured, referring to the Philippine Navy ships.

“If they start drilling for oil there, I’ll tell China: Is that part of our agreement? If this is not part of our agreement, I’m going to drill for oil there too. If they get the oil, that will be the time when we have to act on it.Duterte added.

The Philippine Defense Chief, Lorenzana dolphin, communicated to the President during the meeting that Navy ships can patrol the country’s exclusive economic zone, after the president declared that “nothing will happen” if the nation sends its ships because they are not “in possession of the sea”.

Since coming to power in 2016, Duterte tried to build an alliance with China and was reluctant to confront the regime, after having promised billion dollars in loans and investments.

He has repeatedly stated that The Philippines is unable to stop China and that questioning its activities could risk a war its country would lose.

Duterte ensured there was no way for the Philippines to apply “Without any bloodshed” a landmark 2016 arbitration ruling that clarifies your country’s sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone, according to the South China Morning Post.

Tensions between the two countries have intensified in recent weeks. The Philippines has repeatedly protested against China’s presence and has deployed more ships to disputed areas, including with the friendly posture held by Duterte, who thanked the regime for providing vaccines against the coronavirus. China has indicated that the presence of its ships in the South China Sea is normal and legitimate.

The Philippines presented several Diplomatic protests against China’s actions in the South China Sea. In the last, he accused the regime of carrying out illegal fishing activities and concentrating more than 240 boats in its territorial waters.

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