Duterte: PHL still the owner of W. PHL Sea, China only being given fishing rights

(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, July 17, said the Philippines still had its right to exploit its resources in its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte said this was even after he  gave the Chinese rights to fish in the area, where the Chinese also have expansive claims.

“Sabi ko, ‘As far as I’m concerned, I’m the owner, and I’m just giving the fishing rights,'” he said.

Duterte was referring to what he said was the verbal agreement made between the Philippines and China in 2016.

“Eh kung hindi ko rin payagan, sabihin ng Amerikano — Chinese, ‘Bakit? Is it needed pa ba kami magpermiso sa iyo?’ O eh ‘di pagsabi nilang ‘Huwag ganun,’ eh di mangisda ka,” he said.

Duterte again rejected a war between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea, a part of which, Scarborough Shoal,  he said the  Philippines lost to the Asian giant during the time of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

According to Duterte, in the event of a war, the Philippines was no match for China.

“Pulbos tayo,” he said.