President Duterte on Thursday said he trusted China would not build anything on Panatag Shoal because he was given its “word of honor” and Beijing would not want to jeopardize a new friendship. “Let me tell now, I was informed that they would not build anything on Panatag. Out of respect for our friendship, they will stop it. They will not touch that. According to China, ‘Do not worry, we are friends” Mr. Durterte told a news briefing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the early hours of Thursday after arriving from visits to Burma(Myanmar) and Thailand.

Salaverria, L. B. (2017, March 24). Du30: I trust China won't build on shoal. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A13.