President Duterte on Sunday said he would not stop China from building on a disputed shoal near the Philippines west coast because it was too powerful. Mr.Duterte made the statement in reaction to reports that China would set up an environmental monitoring station on Panatag Shoal (international name: Scarborough Shoal) off the coast of Zambales province. Mr. Duterte said he would tell the Chinese: “Just keep it (the waters) open and do not interfere with our Coast Guard.”

Du30: I can't stop China in Panatag. (2017, March 20). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A2.