Duterte may ride jet ski during visit to Philippine Rise

ONBOARD BRP DAVAO  DEL SUR – President Rodrigo Duterte may briefly ride a jet ski during his visit to the Philippine Rise.

Around 40 journalists covering the President’s visit to the resource- rich continental shelf were briefed of this possible scenario.

At least seven jet skis were onboard this Navy ship.

Duterte is expected to arrive at the  Philippine Rise on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the first anniversary of his renaming of the resource-rich continental shelf from Benham Rise. The Chief Executive will board the BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602).

He would then lead the send-off ceremony for the 50 Filipino scientists who would conduct scientific exploration there.

Before his presidential victory, the then Davao City mayor said he would ride a jet ski going to the Spratly islands and other disputed areas and plant the Philippine flag there.

But he later said the public should not expect him to do it, saying his remark was just a hyperbole to illustrate his stance that the Philippine government, under his leadership, would not give up any of its claims to disputed territories in the South China Sea.

The Philippines won a landmark ruling from the United Nations arbitral tribunal in July 2012, invalidating China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.  /muf