Duterte Orders to Occupy All Philippine-Claimed Islands in South China Sea

The Philippine President has ordered to deploy country’s troops on all Philippine-claimed islands in the South China Sea and start to build structures there.

Duterte Orders to Occupy All Philippine-Claimed Islands in South China Sea

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte (Photo: Reuters / Edgar Su)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered to deploy troops on all islands in the South China Sea, claimed by the Philippines, as well as to build structures and raise the country’s flag on the Manila-claimed islands. In this way, Philippine structures are going to be built near seven artificial Chinese islands in the area.

“We tried to be friends with everybody but we have to maintain our jurisdiction now, at least the areas under our control. And I have ordered the armed forces to occupy all these,” Duterte said at a military camp on Palawan island on Thursday.

The President of the Philippines also added that he had plans to visit Thitu island, the largest of the Philippine-controlled Spratly Islands, where barracks for Philippine servicemen, operating in the area, would be built.

“In the coming Independence Day, I may go to Pagasa island [the local name for Thitu] to raise the flag there,” the Reuters news agency quoted his words.

On June 12, the Philippines will celebrate the 119th anniversary of its independence.

“It looks like everybody is making a grab for the islands there, so we better live on those that are still vacant. At least, let us get what is ours now and make a strong point there that it is ours,” Duterte pointed out.

China and several other regional countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan, have disputes over the maritime borders and areas of responsibility in the South and East China Seas. China claims that Vietnam and the Philippines try to deliberately escalate tensions in the region, using Washington’s support.

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Russell A Wilson

Looks like the Us has gotten to Duterte as this will only escalate the situation in the area. This and Turkey is a ploy by the US to have them be nice to China and Russia then stab in Back

Solomon Krupacek

china is also guilty. they should not take over islands which do not belong them. china is weak and this is very stupid policy.

XRGRSF

China is weak ?

Solomon Krupacek

xes, is weak. kust now is not able to take taiwan.

and at least 1 generation will need to have a chance successfully resistent to us army. look, they have new fighte 4.5 generation with extremly weak engine. zhey are not able to develope excellent engines in plane and rocket technology. and totally not able to produce in large number. of course large numbers are for nothing, becaouse they have also lack of modern soldiers.

so, china has lot of soldiers, but japan is stronger.

sagbotgamot

i believe they can take taiwan in an hour. but they will not do it. because taiwanese are also chinese like them and as much as possible they will avoid confrontation.

Solomon Krupacek

you can believ what you wantt :) there is democracy.
but the reality is that, china has not enough capacity to take taiwan.

XRGRSF

The first task of a good troll is to form plausible cognitive dissonance in the mind of his target audience. You are failing miserably in this respect because your position is so obviously delusional. Try including at least a small amount of reality within your fantasy assessments of China’s capabilities.

Solomon Krupacek
XRGRSF

You don’t seriously think that I would click on a live link that you have provided?

sagbotgamot

Yes, china was weak some 50 years ago. the reasons why they are taking those islands for them is USA, Inc is afraid of them.

Solomon Krupacek

hahaha

sagbotgamot

Let us see if USA, Inc. will be there to help their so-called “little brown brothers.” Most likely not. Trump is afraid to confront the chinese militarily. they will leave the filipinos to die armed only with “primitive machete” against chinese supersonic missiles. the americans would rather support rebels in Syria with chemical weapons against the Syrian government in obedience with zionist Israel’s vision of Greater Israel that includes Syria and Iraq.