MANILA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed belief that the Philippines could get more benefits from China if the two countries could reach a settlement despite the recent ruling of the arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea issue.
Speaking during the inspection of a power plant in southern province of Maguindanao on Friday, Duterte said he was really praying that the Philippines could resolve the issue with China.
"On the (South) China Sea, if we can just have a settlement with them despite the arbitral judgment, I think we will get more benefits," he said.
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