President Rodrigo Duterte might have “misinterpreted” Chinese President Xi Jinping when he said Xi had threatened war if the Philippines explored for oil and gas in the Reed Bank, an underwater mountain near the Philippines, an official said Tuesday. Ambassador to China Chito Santa Romana said Xi had only meant there would be a “conflict” if the Philippines went ahead with its plan to explore for oil and gas in the Reed Bank. He made his statement even as Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveors said Xi’s threat of war must be met with the strongest diplomatic protest from the Philippine government.

Fabunan, S. S. D., & Araneta, M. C. (2017, May 24). Envoy denies China war threat. Manila Standard, p. A2.