Saying only the Philippines can legally build on territories in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), Malacañang said China will have to return someday what belongs to the country. In an interview aired on his Facebook page on Wednesday night, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the Philippines one day would “thank” China if it would be able to ask them to leave the artificial islands it has reclaimed in the disputed sea. “There will come a time when China’s might had ceased, when we will have to thank them for the islands because it is only the Philippines that can legally build on those artificial islands,” Roque added.

Valente, C. S. (2018, February 9). Palace: We'll get back SCS islands. The Manila Times, p. A3.