BRP Melchora Aquino. Photo from Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is hoping to ride along with the Philippine Coast Guard to the West Philippine Sea even after his term ends on June 30.
Duterte made the remark on Sunday during the commissioning of the Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Melchora Aquino in Manila City.
“But anyway, someday I could maybe ride with the Coast Guard to see. Maski na civilian na ako, sana bigyan ninyo akong kaunting ano lang—I do not expect more—‘yung kaunting—that you can invite me to ride with you,” he said during the event.
(Even if I’m already a civilian, I hope you give me a little—I do not expect more—a little—that you can invite me to ride with you.)
“It does not have any ramifications because civilian na ako. And I could maybe ride with you diyan sa West Philippine Sea. It is a gamble,” he added.
(It does not have any ramifications because I’m already a civilian. And I could maybe ride with you there in the West Philippine Sea. It is a gamble.)
The Chief Executive called on the public to assert the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea as it is vital for the country amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“But you know you have at one time in our national life that we have to assert the—what is ours. Wala man akong ano (I do not have)—kaibigan ko si (I am friends with) President Xi Jinping. And we have talked a lot in the so many visits that I did in the past years,” he said.
“The population is growing and we have to keep pace. You know even in the food security in the coming years mahirapan tayo (we’ll be burdened). And the longer that this ruckus in Europe between Russia and Ukraine continues, mag-spiral talaga ‘yan (it will spiral). That’s what I’ve been warning the Filipinos two months ago,” Duterte said.
The President also said that he had clarified with Xi that the Philippines cannot give up its maritime sovereignty.
Since Russia, a key crude producer, invaded Ukraine, oil prices soared and prices of commodities went up.