President Rodrigo Duterte dared America to declare war and “fire the first shot” to China over South China Sea issue.
“Let America declare the war. Let them assemble all their armaments there in South China Sea. Fire the first shot and I’ll be glad to do the next. May RP-US pact man kaha tayo eh di let us honor it. Do you want trouble? Okay, let’s do it,” Duterte said in his speech during the inauguration of Chen Yi Agventures Rice Processing Complex in Alangalang, Leyte last night.
Duterte said, US wants the Philippines to do something against China over its activities in the South China Sea.
“America could have done it earlier but did not. I am surprised why. Now he wants us to tickle China at kapag pumutok itong — ang masakripisyo, papasabugin nila ‘yung Palawan kasi nandiyan ‘yan sila lahat ngayon eh because it’s facing the China Sea.”
But Duterte maintained that he will not order his soldiers “to go to the mouths of hell to die” helpless.
“I am not about to order my soldiers to go to the mouths of hell to die na walang kalaban-laban. I cannot do that. Hindi ako natakot,” Duterte added.
