The Philippines won’t withdraw its two ships patrolling the Kalayaan group of islands and Mischief Reef in the West Philippines Sea even if China asks for it, President Rodrigo Duterte said. In a taped address to the public aired on Friday noon, Duterte said he would end his friendship with China if the latter would insist otherwise. “I’d like to put notice sa China. May dalawang barko ako d’yan. I am not ready to withdraw,” Duterte said. “Hindi talaga ako aatras. Patayin mo man ako kung patayin mo ako, dito ako. Dito magtatapos ang ating pagkakaibigan.”

Co, A. S. (2021, May 15-16). DU30 tells China: PH won’t pull out WPS ships. Panay News, p. 5.