The statement of President Rodrigo Duterte in Scarborough Shoal is “inappropriate”, Arturo Boquiren, founder of Peaceful Resolution of Spratlys and Scarborough Concerns and a professor at University of the Philippines- Baguio said on Saturday.
Earlier, Duterte told business leaders that Philippines will not go to war over the Scarborough Shoal even if it wins the arbitration case it filed against China’s excessive claims in the disputed South China Sea.
Duterte even expressed an apparent disagreement with the Philippines joining US’ patrols in the disputed waters supposedly to press freedom of navigation in the area.
“Kung nandiyan na ‘yung aircraft carrier sa South China Sea na ‘yan (If that's there's the aircraft carrier in the South China Sea that - Google Translate), patrolling, and the Americans would say, ‘Come join us in our expedition,’ ah, sorry,” Duterte said while waving his hand.
“I will not go to war because of the Scarborough Shoal lang,” he added.
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NOTE: The "Google Translation" Link in the above was added by PacificSentinel for clarity & context.