Duterte: PH Can’t Win Scarborough Shoal Issue
PH Can’t Win Scarborough Shoal Issue – Before visiting China, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech in Lamitan, Basilan that the Philippines can’t win in Scarborough Shoal that’s why the said issue must not interfere rather.
The Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) is an area in the West Philippine Sea which is being claimed by both the Philippines and China.
During a speech to residents of Lamitan, Basilan province on Monday, October 10, Duterte urged people to not dwell on Scarborough Shoal as the Philippines don’t have the capabilities.
“Huwag na muna natin pakialaman ‘yang Scarborough [Shoal] kasi hindi natin kaya eh. Magalit man tayo, hangin lang. ‘Di natin kaya,” Duterte said as quoted.
The President although said that the area is a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos and to other claimants but, as China seized the area for a two-month maritime standoff in 2012, Filipino fishermen are being driven away.
But, Duterte promised to reiterate the fishing rights of Filipinos during his visit to China over the disputed sea. Duterte will be visiting China from October 19 to 21.
“Mag-usap muna tayo. Sabihin ko na lang na ipabalik muna ‘yang mga kapatid kong Pilipinong mangingisda, tsaka mag-usap tayo,” Duterte said.
(Let us talk first. I’ll say for now that they must allow my Filipino fishermen brothers, to return, then let’s talk.)
According to Duterte, he has a feeling that China “really wants to help” the Philippines in a big way.
“I have a good feeling they (China) really want to help us in a big way. If I get something big, I promise you I will build hospitals and schools from the soft-term loans we will get (from China),” he said.
“If there is anything left, I will use it to help you build a power plant,” Duterte added.
In a report by Inquirer, Duterte gave P10 million as a capital money for livelihood projects of the coconut farmers in the towns of Lamitan and Isabel after “cocolisap” infested their livelihood.
Other things he gave are 70 motorized, fiber glass fishing boats, rice and corn seedlings, fertilizer, and 7 farm tractors.
Meanwhile, even with the ruling of The Hague in favor of the Philippines over the claims of China on the Scarborough Shoal, wherein the ruling said that China has no legal basis to its claims, China still ignored the ruling.
