By Alexis Romero
MANILA, Philippines - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) wants a binding code of conduct for South China Sea claimants by yearend, President Duterte said, even as he admitted that any talk about a military buildup would be “useless.”
"No terms of reference but we want (a) code of conduct enacted at the very least before (the) end of this year so that everybody will feel comfortable sailing there,” Duterte said in a press conference last night at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
“If not, then it (South China Sea) remains to be flashpoint,” he added.
Aside from the South China Sea, a resource-rich area where about $5 trillion worth of goods pass through every year, Duterte said other “flash points” in the world are the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East.
“For those who are peace-loving just like me, I don’t want trouble. You have to be very careful,” the Philippine leader said.
Duterte believes there is no point discussing China’s supposed military build-up in the South China Sea, noting that the Philippines does not have enough defense capabilities to prevent it.
“Whenever we talk about a buildup, it would be useless. It would be useless, except for fighting terrorism,” the Chief Executive said.
“It’s too late to join the fray. We do not have warheads,” he added.
ASEAN member countries and China signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in Cambodia in 2002 to resolve conflicting maritime claims peacefully.
More than 14 years later, the parties have yet to complete a binding code of conduct.
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