MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte was serious when he dared the United States to declare war against China, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Sunday.
“Eh bakit naman hindi? Kung inumpisahan ng Amerikano dahil kaalyado tayo sa Amerikano, kasama tayo doon,” Panelo said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.
Duterte issued the dare against the United States and those critical of his handling of the maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing at the opening of Chen Yi Agventures Rice Processing Center last Friday.
Apart from this, Duterte lambasted Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales for criticizing his foreign policy.
READ: Duterte dares US: Declare war on China and we will join you
When asked about the Philippines’ readiness if the war between the two countries sparks, Panelo said: “Nasa likod lang naman tayo eh, Amerikano naman nasa harapan e. Ang problema ang gusto ng mga kasama natin dito sa Pilipinas e si Presidente ang manguna dun.”
It could be noted that China and the United States have repeatedly traded barbs in the past over what Washington says was Beijing’s militarization of the strategic waterway by building military installations on artificial islands and reefs. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)