By Genalyn Kabiling

China just wants to be friends with the Philippines, President Duterte said Tuesday in ruling out anew any war with the Asian giant over a territorial dispute.

The President highlighted the generosity of China towards the Philippines, saying Beijing has offered military assistance to the country without asking for anything in return.

“Pumunta ako ng China, they just want to be friends. Binigyan ako ng armas, binigyan ako ng bala, eh hanggang ngayon wala namang hiningi, wala namang hininging teritoryo [I went to China, they just want to be friends. They gave me weapons, they gave me bullets. Until now, they have not asked for anything, they did not ask for any territory],” Duterte said during the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Malabon City Tuesday night.

Duterte insisted that he won’t use force against China over the dispute in the West Philippine Sea due to concerns it would only result in the deaths of government troops. He was also concerned that China could launch a missile attack in Manila within seven minutes.

“Eh ‘yung away nila diyan hindi man nating kaya [We have no capacity to deal with the conflict there],” he said.

“If I go to war pupulpugin ang Navy ko in a matter of minutes. At kung makipag-giyera ako sa China, in seven minutes ‘yung missile nila aabot ng Maynila. Bakit ako makipag-away? Bakit ko ipaubos ang pulis ko pati sundalo ko, buhay ‘yan [If I go to war, my Navy can be crushed in a matter of minutes. If I go to war with China, its missile can reach Manila in seven minutes. So why will I fight with them? Why would I exhaust my policemen and soldiers? Those are lives],” he added.

He admitted that he was unsure if China would deal with him when he became president in 2016. He previously mentioned the country’s ties were strained amid the territorial row at the time.

But he decided to still go to China and Russia to enhance relations even though the United States was skeptical about his move.

“You know Red China or China ang komunista just wants to be friends with us,” he said.

“Binigyan nga tayo ng baril, binigyan rin ng bala pumunta ako doon because America failed to deliver what we ordered. Luma na kasi ‘yung mga armas natin eh, panahon pa ni Marcos [We were given weapons, bullets when I went there because America failed to deliver what we ordered. Our weapons are old, dating back to the time of Marcos],” he added.

The President made the remarks after his government drew criticisms for allegedly not doing enough to assert the country’s ownership of the West Philippine Sea and protect local fishermen amid China’s reclamation activities.

More than 200 Chinese vessels reportedly sailed near Pag-asa Island, located within the territory, raising concerns they were trying to build a stronger presence in the area. The government has protested the alleged presence of foreign ships.

Local fishermen have also reportedly complained that Chinese coast guards were still driving them away from Panatag Shoal.

The alleged harassment of the fishermen may be raised by the President when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month, according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Duterte is expected to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation organized by China in April upon the invitation of Xi.