February 11, 2018

DAVAO CITY -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday hinted that his administration would not be questioning China over its activities in the West Philippine Sea, including its aggressive construction of military facilities on several reefs it had seized from the Philippines.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Duterte said any move the country took in protest against China’s actions at this point might be viewed negatively by its giant neighbor.

“This is not the time to be fighting over the South China Sea because it will only lead to war,” the President said, apparently referring to the West Philippine Sea, part of the disputed waterway that is within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone.

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