Ex-Pres Duterte: WPS is part of PH's exclusive economic zone

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said the disputed West Philippine Sea is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“As a Filipino, 'yung contested area — although it is contested between China and tayo — if you ask me, atin talaga ‘yan. As a Filipino, I would insist that that part of the West Philippine Sea is sa atin, part of the (exclusive) economic zone,” Duterte said during a press conference on Sonshine Media Network International.

(As a Filipino, the contested area —  although it is contested between China and the Philippines — if you ask me, it is really ours. As a Filipino, I would insist that that part of the West Philippine Sea is ours, part of the exclusive economic zone.)

“Wala naman tayong away sa China noon. We were free to fish in and out of the area. Nobody was bugging us and there no issue of territory,” Duterte added.

(We didn't have a conflict with China then.)

A recent encounter between Chinese personnel and Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea resulted in a Philippine Navy sailor losing his thumb. Six other soldiers were hurt.

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque had said that during the Duterte administration, the Philippines entered into a "gentleman’s agreement"  with China which barred the country from sending repair materials to the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.

Despite the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claims over the West Philippine Sea, China continues to harass Philippine vessels in the contested territory.

This resulted in the loss of livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk. 

Duterte said he is in Tacloban to visit the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda and to attend a fiesta. — DVM/KG, GMA Integrated News