Duterte to Xi: I won’t allow US troops on Pag-asa island

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, before the meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China Thursday, April 25, 2019. (Pool photo by KENZABURO FUKUHARA via AP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday bared that he told Chinese President Xi Jinping that no American troops would set foot on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

“I told you I will not allow, as long as I am President, any American to set foot on that Pag-asa,” Duterte said in an interview over Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s TV show “Give Us This Day.”

“Because I know that it will [really create] trouble. And I will not allow their arms,” Duterte added.

He also recalled what he asked Xi during their last meeting: “So why are you surrounding my island with so many ships? You’re wasting your gasoline.”

“So, that is how it is. Talagang sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Sinabi ko nga sa iyo, I will not. You have my word of honor,’” the President said.

Duterte also shared that he told Xi to let Filipino fishermen in the disputed waters.

“Okay na siguro kasi wala namang reklamo ”yung mga fishermen,” he said. “Do not deprive them because you know we are poor. You prohibit us.”

Although Duterte did not disclose when exactly he discussed the matter with the Chinese President, the chief executive last went on a state visit to China April.

READ: Duterte, Xi to discuss sea row in Beijing meeting

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)