By Fernan Angeles
AFTER “missing in action for weeks,” President Rodrigo Duterte hinted at a plan to go – again, on a vacation, but this time at the Spratlys which forms part of the disputed area off the West Philippine Sea.
In his public address, the President said he wanted a vacation, specifically at the Spratlys.
A sarcastic President said that that he might even consider inviting Americans to join him at the disputed area for a sight-seeing tour.
Back in 2016, Duterte who had just then assumed Presidency said that that he’s going to the Spratlys on a jet ski just to plant a Philippine flag at the contested region in an apparent display of his conviction in keeping sovereignty in the Philippine territory.
He however later on clarified that his statements were just “hyperbolics,” meant to send a strong message – that he isn’t about to give up the Philippine government’s claim over the West Philippine Sea.