(Eagle News) –One of these days, the Philippines will have China to “thank” for the artificial islands created by the Asian giant in the South China Sea.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who gave an interview that was posted on his Facebook page, this was because “it is only the Philippines that can legally build on those artificial islands.”
“Clearly, eventually, those artificial islands will be ours if we can ask China to leave the islands,” he said.
He added that what some media were reporting as “militarization” in the islands in the disputed sea was “nothing new.”
“They are saying we should protest. We did that. Do you want to protest every minute, every day?” he asked.
“But the truth of the matter is, better to have friendly relations now because we can’t stand up to them. Let’s not give them the opportunity to use their weapons in these artificial island against us,” he added.
In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, nullifying Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.