Duterte says he cannot stop China from building on shoal

Philippine leader irked by ‘nit-picking’ over coastal reef

MANILA // Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday he could not stop China from building on a disputed shoal near his country’s west coast because the world’s second- largest economic power was too strong. The mayor of China’s Sansha city has reportedly said his country would set up an environmental monitoring station on Scarborough Shoal, which China seized from the Philippines in 2012. “We cannot stop China from doing [ these ] things,” Mr Duterte said before departing for a visit to Myanmar. “What do you want me to do? Declare war against China? I can’t. We will lose all our military and policemen tomorrow and we [will be] a destroyed nation.”

Mr Duterte said he would tell the Chinese: “Just keep it [the waters] open and do not interfere with our coastguard.”

He also brushed aside concerns over Chinese survey ships that had been seen near Benham Rise, waters east of the main Philippine island of Luzon that have been recognised by the United Nation as indisputably Philippine territory.

This month, defence secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he was concerned the ships had been seen at that location, sometimes for as long as a month.

But Mr Duterte said: “So what if they stop there? They admit it is within the territory of the Philippines. That does not satisfy you?”

He described the complaints against China as “nit-picking”. The Philippines under Mr Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino, had challenged China’s claim to control most of the South China Sea, despite coun- ter-claims by several nations.

But Mr Duterte, who took office last year, reversed that policy and is seeking billions of dollars worth of investments and grants from Beijing.

Beijing has reclaimed large areas around several islets and reefs in the Spratly archipelago elsewhere in the South China Sea, and installed military facilities on some.

Analysts warn that building on Scarborough Shoal would change the situation, as it is 230 kilometres from Luzon.

Outposts on the shoal would put Chinese warplanes and missiles within striking distance of military bases in the Philippines, some of which could host US troops.

Also yesterday, Mr Duterte said he would not be intimidated by an impeachment complaint and threats of an international lawsuit for his anti-drug clampdown.