President Duterte has told China not to “touch” Pag-asa Island, the largest in the Kalayaan Island Group occupied by Filipinos, otherwise he would send Philippine troops on a “suicide mission” in response. The President, who spoke during a campaign rally in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province, on Thursday night, said he was just giving “a word of advice,” not a warning, to Beijing. “I am asking you, I will not plead or beg, but I’m just telling you, lay off the Pag-asa because I have soldiers there. And if you lay a finger on them, it’s another story. I will tell my soldiers, prepare for a suicide mission,” Duterte said.

Aurelio, J. M. (2019, April 6). Du30 to China: We're pals but don't touch Pag-asa. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A6.