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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Du30 urges China, other nations to settle West PH Sea dispute before UN

Du30 urges China, other nations to settle West PH Sea dispute before UN

Published Nov 16, 2023 02:49 pm

DAVAO CITY – Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte encouraged China and other nations asserting claims over the West Philippine Sea to reach a diplomatic agreement through the United Nations (UN) instead of engaging in conflict.

DUTERTE GIKAN.jpg

FORMER President Duterte (Screenshot from Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa program).

In an interview on SMNI’s “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” on November 15, Wednesday, Duterte emphasized that conflict is not a solution and will never be a better option to resolve the issue about the West Philippine Sea.

“Why would we fight? Why cut each other’s throats because of a boundary in the water? (I know) this is not about that…it is what is under the water. We might ask the UN for an arbitration if we can share or divide this,” Duterte said.

Duterte said there is always arbitration, where everyone could resolve the matter with the other countries in a bargaining table. He added that they can share or divide the West Philippine Sea if this is good.

“Why go into a mess? Kung paghati-hatian nalang natin? (What if we can share or divide it?) What is really very important is not the water. ‘Yan lang pag-aawayan natin (Are we really going to argue about this?)” the former president said.

In a recent forum in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong cautioned Filipinos and asked if they are confident about engaging in a conflict where they would become the battleground. Lee issued the statement in response to inquiries over escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

Duterte agreed with the Singaporean Prime Minister’s statement. He highlighted the importance of preserving peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea, where China has overlapping claims with Manila and other governments in the Southeast Asian bloc.

“I would say that we have experienced wars, stripes, and killings by the millions since then. It would be good for humankind to learn to talk to each other even in two individuals, in a group, or outside the country. There is the United Nations,” he added.

Duterte said that it is essential for the concerned countries to have a forum. “Though it is imperfect and may have shortcomings, there is still a venue where everyone can pull out their sentiments and claims to avoid aggressive punitive actions that might not be good for anybody,” he added.

Related Tags

President Duterte West Philippine Sea (WPS) South China Sea Davao City
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