Duterte takes China’s advice not to raise PH flag on Pag-asa IslandPublished April 14, 2017, 12:05 AM
By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos and Reuters
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/14/duterte-takes-chinas-advice-not-to-raise-ph-flag-on-pag-asa-island/Riyadh– President Duterte has taken the advice of China not to raise the Philippine flag on Pag-asa Island and fortify its barracks there as it might cause quite a stir among claimants of the disputed South China Sea.
During a meeting with the members of the Filipino community here Wednesday night, Duterte said he is cancelling his earlier declaration of personally going to that island to plant the Philippine flag.
“Kasi sabi ng China (Because China said), what will happen if every head of state of contending parties there around the West Philippine Sea will go there to plant the flag? There will likely be trouble,” he said.
Though the island is administered as part of Kalayaan, Palawan, it is also being claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The 37.2-hectare Pag-asa Island, the second largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands, lies 480 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
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“They said, do not go there in the meantime, just do not go there please. I will correct myself because we value our friendship with China,” he said, adding that he might just send his son to the island.
“It [China] has benefited us in so many ways. Gumanda ang buhay natin (Our lives have improved),” he said.
“Maybe I’ll send my son. Just to show to the other claimants that the blood of the Filipino is in the disputed islands,” he said in a jest.
Earlier, Duterte had instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to build houses there.
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