MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has stated that his administration will stay neutral amid China’s escalating conflict with Taiwan.
Duterte expressed relief that there is no tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), allowing the military and police to provide needed help to Typhoon Odette victims.
“Mabuti na lang wala pang gulo dito sa (It’s good that there is no trouble yet at the) South China Sea),” he said in a command conference with local officials and military officials in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Thursday and aired on state-run PTV-4 on Saturday.
If tensions arise, he stated that he will not go to war with China.
“Kung sabihin nila na mag-gulo sila tapos gamitin, eh (If they start to cause trouble here), I would never allow that for as long as I sit as President. Hindi na tayo magsali diyan sa (We will never take part in that). How can we match the firepower of China?” he added.
According to Duterte, the military and police are unprepared to deal with the regional giant.
“They are not geared for war. Bakit ako sasali diyan na makita mo naman kung (why will we take part in that when we know) what’s happening?” he said.
The President said a simple mistake could start a war in the region.
“Itong issue ng (This issue of) Taiwan. If it goes south, one simple mistake, miscalculation diyan, pagkatumama ‘yan sa, ‘yung mga missiles nila ulanin ‘yung (when missiles rain down on) Taiwan, then there is really war,” he said.
Duterte believes it is best to avoid conflict if it does not involve the Philippines.
“I said that minuscule lang tayo diyan sa power play nila (We are minuscule in their power play). It does not concern us. We do not have the — except ‘yung South China Sea issue, which we’ll have to handle with the utmost diplomatic talent because we are not ready to confront China. Not at this time,” he said.
“We have the problem and it does not give us any reason to rise up in arms against China. That would be the most foolish thing that can ever happen there. We stay neutral. Bahala sila (Leave them be),” he added.
Tensions between China and Taiwan escalated in October of this year as the former intensified military activities near the main island.
China insists that Taiwan is part of its territory.
China, the Philippines, and several other littoral states have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
In a 2016 arbitral ruling, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that Beijing’s nine-dash line, which encompasses about 80 percent of the South China Sea, is unconstitutional.
