PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte flew to Thailand on Friday, June 21, to participate in the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit that is hosted by Thailand this year.
In a speech delivered in Davao City before departing the country, the President said he would "talk lengthily" about China's sweeping claims over the hotly-contested South China Sea.
Duterte made the remark, as he lamented that China claims ownership of almost the entire South China Sea and following the June 9 incident at Recto (Reed) Bank involving Filipino and Chinese fishermen.
"Ang sabi ko: Is it correct for China to declare an ownership of an ocean? Ako ang moderator for China at Asean. But I'm posing this question: Kaya mo bang mag-claim ng ownership ng ocean?" the President said.
(I said: Is it correct for China to declare an ownership of an ocean? I am the moderator for China and Asean. But I'm posing this question: Can you claim ownership of the ocean?)
"I will talk lengthily about it dito sa Asean (at the Asean forum). It's not a matter of yung nine-dash line. Simple lang (It's just simple): Can you claim an ocean as your own? Because tell me now because I will also claim mine," he added.
Duterte's latest remarks came after a Chinese trawler rammed and abandoned the sinking Filipino boat anchored near Recto Bank on June 9.
The 34th Asean summit in Thailand will gather the 10 leaders of the 10-man regional bloc for a plenary, a gala dinner, and a leaders' retreat.
The first time Duterte challenged China's extensive claims to the South China Sea was during the 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia held in Tokyo on May 31.
On Tuesday, June 18, Foreign Affairs Secretary Junever Mahilum-West said there could be an "opening" for Duterte to raise the Recto Bank incident in the Asean leaders' meeting.
Meantime, Duterte is also expected to discuss with fellow Asean leaders the ways to "deepen cooperation on inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic development, further enhance regional mechanisms, and promote and uphold the rights of migrant workers and other vulnerable groups," the Palace said in a press statement on Friday, June 21.
"The President will press regional and global issues affecting security and stability and growth prospects of Southeast Asia and the larger Asia-Pacific region," it said.
"These include developments in the South China Sea, the ongoing US (United States)-China trade war, terrorism and violent extremism, climate change, and transnational crimes, including the trafficking of illegal drugs," it added.
Duterte would also hold bilateral meetings with Asean leaders, including Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, on the sidelines of the summit, "to strengthen bilateral cooperation fo greater security, stability, and sustainable development," MalacaƱang noted.
The Palace likewise stressed that Duterte would engage Thailand's top business conglomerates to promote the Philippines as a "key trade and investment destination."
"The President will highlight the country's sound macro-economic fundamentals and ongoing reforms that make the Philippines more competitive and business-friendly," it said. (SunStar Philippines)