China has assured the Philippines that it will come to its aid in the event of external threats, according to President Duterte. "China said, 'We will protect you. We will not allow the Philippines to be destroyed. We are just here and you can call for our help anytime," Mr. Duterte said in a speech in Davao City on Friday. He criticized the United States, saying it would not protect the Philippines because it was afraid of war. The Philippines and the United States are defense treaty allies, but the President is distancing the Philippines from the United States because of US expressions of concern over the thousands of killings in his brutal war on drugs.

Aurelio, J. M. (2018, May 7). Duterte: China has promised to protect PH. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A19.