Duterte: We will defend Philippines territory ‘to death’

MANILA, Philippines — Although he is no longer in government, former president Rodrigo Duterte said he will protest China’s recently released map featuring a new 10-dash line that defines its South China Sea boundaries.

“China is a friend, but I would state now, I do not agree with the 10-dash line,” Duterte said in mixed English and Filipino in his program Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa aired at Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) on Monday night.

“I am not ready to give up a part of the territory of my country, which is ours. We will defend it to death if need be, that is ours,” Duterte declared.

Duterte, who considers himself a friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping, said the friendship does not go beyond the Philippines’ national interest.

“It is OK that we are friends, but it does not include the interest of our country. The territory is non-negotiable,” Duterte said.

The former president also took exception to House Bill 7819, or the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act filed by Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

The bill, which was approved by 284 lawmakers, “will provide flexibility in enacting laws pertinent to the rights and obligations that the Philippines can exercise over its maritime zone.”

Duterte, however, said there should be no flexibility in defining Philippine territory.

“In defining our territory, there should be a clear cut boundary which we claim to be ours,” he said. “Flexibility is hard. It could mean more discussion and troubles in the future. If I were in charge, I’d rather be categorical.”

The former president maintains that the dilapidated BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal should not be removed despite China’s foreign ministry’s claim that the Philippines had earlier promised to remove it.

If Duterte had his way, he will add more ships in Ayungin Shoal.

“If it was my way, I’ll bring navy ships that are damaged, I will put holes on it and have it run aground there. I’ll place it a bit further like a buffer zone, so that there can be no issue on our claim,” he said.

Friendly talks

Duterte also explained that his visit to China and meeting with Xi in July was all friendly talk.

The meeting with Xi raised a few eyebrows as it was unknown to the current administration, and lasted for an hour and 40 minutes.

The former president said that while they discussed anything under the sun, the topic about the Philippines’ territorial dispute against them was untouched.

Although sensitive topics were not discussed, Duterte said he reassured Xi that “we are not a party in this large conflict between you and the US.”

“While we are allied with the US, it does not go beyond the state wars in other countries,” he said.

The former president repeatedly said that the Philippines is not looking for conflict with China.

“I only wish for our two countries to continue our good relations so we could have trade relations and expand on it, and perhaps take things that could benefit our two countries in terms of infrastructure and mutual understanding of the peaceful dimensions of our relationship,” he said.