Duterte touches China again & # 39; annoying & # 39; radio warnings

For the second time in a week, President Rodrigo Duterte reprimanded China for his "nasty" warnings against Philippine aircraft flying near the artificial islands of Beijing in the South China Sea, including those Manila were claimed

President referred to the threatening radio messages of the Chinese navy to Philippine military pilots.

"You know very well that we will not attack anyone there and we are a claimant from the archipelago," he said in a speech on Friday night in Davao City.

"I told you that we are not willing to go to war with you, so why do you have to say those annoying words? It is not necessary, we are your friend," he added.

BBC Report

A BBC report registered the Chinese warnings for military aircraft from both the United States and the Philippines that flew over the artificial islands that had been transformed by China into reinforced outposts in the strategic waterway.

"Philippine military aircraft! I warn you again, leave immediately or you are responsible for all consequences!", Said part of the radio message.

On Tuesday, the president said it was wrong that Beijing claimed the airspace above the artificial islands and surrounding waters, and that the Chinese tell others to leave those areas to avoid possible clashes.

The president said he hoped that China would moderate his behavior & # 39; & # 39; and would stop limiting movements that could lead to a confrontation, possibly with ally, the United States.

You can not create an island, it is man made and you say that the air above these artificial islands is yours. That is wrong, because those waters are what we consider international sea. And the right to innocent passage is guaranteed, "he said.

" So I hope China will at least temper its behavior. I do not want to argue with China, "he added.

In response to his remarks, Beijing dismissed the president on Thursday, saying that it had the right to respond to foreign ships or aircraft close to his islands. [19659003] Beijing confirms right

In a statement to Reuters, the Chinese Foreign Office said that the Spratly Islands were the inherent area of ​​China and that China respected the right to freedom of navigation and overflight that all countries in the South enjoyed China according to international law

"But China has the right to take the necessary steps to respond to foreign aircraft and ships that deliberately approach or flee to the air and waters near the relevant islands of China, and provocative actions that stationed the security of Chinese personnel there, "it said.

In his speech on Friday, go f the president that he felt neglected by the Chinese warnings "just because we are friends. "[19659003] The president has smoothed out ties with China, which were strained after Manila filed a case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration against Beijing's allegations against almost the entire South China Sea.

court ruled in July 2016 in favor of the Philippines, rejects China's extensive claims about the waters, but Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.

Ex-DFA head praise Du30 [19659003] The president was praised for his recent reprimand of the actions of China and was supported by former foreign minister Albert del Rosario, who led the Philippine contingent that won the case at the tribunal in The Hague.

Del Rosario, however, said the government should take further steps to maintain the rule of law in the maritime conflict with China

"We can still change the path we should take and lead after ar reaching a global order where & # 39; it could be good & # 39 ;, "he said at a forum on Friday.

"The Filipino people have the moral high ground, the Filipinos have the law on their side, we are right, so let us speak with one voice – that compliance with the rule of law is the only way is ahead, "he said. -With a report from Jerome Aning

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