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President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said that while he ordered the building of structures in Philippine-claimed areas in the South China Sea, he will not install weapons on these territories.
“For the information of China we will not place there any offensive weapon. Not even one gun. We are just here to claim the island for us because it is really ours,” he said during a press conference at the Davao International Airport.
“I have ordered the Armed Forces (of the Philippines) to build structures there to signify to all na atin ito at lagyan ng (it is ours and we will put up a) flag and structures,” Duterte said. “We do not mean no harm to China. We are friends, in fact.”
The President expressed concern that the Philippines will be caught in the war of other nations.
“I do not want to get involved in a war between nations. I have extended my hand and friendship to the US government,” he said.
He said the meeting of US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is a “welcome development.”
“China can relax. We are friends. We will not go to war with you. We are just trying to maintain the balance of the geopolitical situation there,” Duterte added.
The President also raised the issue of Benham Rise, which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone on the other side of the country.
He reiterated his plan to rename Benham Rise.
“I will be signing an executive order when I come back renaming it the Philippine Ridge or the Philippine Rise,” he said.
READ: Duterte: Occupy PH islands