President Duterte on WPS dispute: ‘We are not prepared to go to war’

By Jelly F. Musico, Philippine News Agency MANILA, July 5 — In front of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) troops, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he will hold bilateral talks with China if the Philippines will get favorable ruling from the international arbitral tribunal, saying the country is not prepared to go to war. Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte. MB File Photo. ”If it is favorable to us, let’s talk. We are not prepared to go to war. War is a dirty word now but we will proceed accordingly after we shall have the copy of the arbitral judgment,” President Duterte said in his speech during the 69th PAF Anniversary at the Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga. The Philippines is waiting for the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations on the merit of the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China’s territorial claim [...]