President Duterte cancels visit to disputed island in the East Sea

(Baonghean.vn)-On April 12, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he had canceled a planned visit to an island in the East Sea.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: CNN

Speaking to the Filipino community in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) on the evening of April 12 during his tour of Gulf countries, Mr. Duterte said he would not go to Thitu Island to plant the national flag. However, the Philippine leader left open the possibility of sending his son to visit that island.

Last week, the Philippine President announced plans to visit Thitu Island (called Pagasa Island by Manila) which the Philippines claims in the South China Sea and plant the national flag there. He also said he would reinforce barracks on the island, a move that has raised concerns among stakeholders in the South China Sea.

Image of Thitu Island in the East Sea taken on April 28, 2015. Photo: AP

Thitu Island is close to Subi Reef, one of seven artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago that China has accused of militarizing with the installation of surface-to-air missiles and other military equipment.

Previously, on April 10, President Duterte declared that Manila would only strengthen, but not militarize, the areas in the East Sea that the country claims sovereignty over, in order to maintain the geopolitical balance./.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters)