Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte tells China to ‘lay off’ island in disputed

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte tells China to ‘lay off’ island in disputed South China Sea

Duterte said his comment was not a warning, but rather a word of advice to a friend

This follows a statement made by the foreign affairs ministry calling the presence of Chinese boats near Thitu Island illegal

Published: 4:23am, 5 Apr, 2019
Updated: 10:11am, 5 Apr, 2019

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3004758/philippine-president-rodrigo-duterte-tells-china-lay-island
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told China on Thursday to “lay off” an island occupied by Manila in the disputed South China Sea and said he would deploy his soldiers there if Beijing touches it.

Duterte’s remarks, which he said was not a warning but rather a word of advice to a friend, follow a statement made by the foreign affairs ministry calling the presence of more than 200 Chinese boats near Thitu Island illegal.

“I will not plead or beg, but I am just telling you that lay off the Pagasa because I have soldiers there. If you touch it, that’s a different story.

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