MANILA,
Philippines — Claiming that it would only create tension among claimants
states, President Rodrigo Duterte declared that he is not in favor of military
drills in the disputed South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine
Sea.
Speaking
to reporters in Singapore, Duterte warned the United States against creating
"friction" that could "turn things wrong."
The US
Navy has been conducting patrols in the South China Sea as part of its freedom
of navigation operations in the region. China has been hostile toward
Washington's activities, accusing the latter of violating their sovereignty and
infringing security.
"I
said China is already in possession. It's now in their hands so why do you have
to create frictions... military activity that will prompt a response to
China," Duterte said.
Duterte
added that he does not mind if other countries would engage in war as long as
the Philippines will not be involved.
"The
Philippines is just beside those islands and if there's a shooting there, my
country will be first to suffer. That is my only national interest there, nothing
else," the president said.
Beijing
has installed surface-to-air missiles, anti-cruise ship missiles and electronic
jamming equipment on its artificial islands in the Spratly group, which are
also being claimed by the Philippines.
The
president made these remarks a month after the Philippines participated in a
China-led maritime exercise with other Southeast Asian countries in the
South China Sea.
China
proposed the joint maritime exercises with the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations to "build trust, confidence," according to Singapore Defense
Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Duterte
appears to echo China's rhetoric against the US military's activities in the
region when Beijing itself has been conducting naval drills in the area.
Washington
has been consistent on its position that it "will fly, sail and operate
wherever international law permits."
US
National Security Advisor John Bolton earlier said that the US Navy is
increasing its patrols in the South China Sea and is prepared to build up its
capabilities. The Chinese navy surpasses the resources of the Philippines,
Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries which also have claims in the
disputed waterway.
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