“China has already recognized that we have sovereign rights over the area,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque. Duterte on Wednesday said countries seeking to conduct experiments and research as well as fishing in Philippine Rise should get his permission. “Otherwise, no. I will not allow fishing, I will not…magkagiyera tayo (we will go to war),” the President said in his speech at the inauguration of a housing project for residents of war-torn Marawi City.

'War remark' on PH Rise not for China - Palace. (2018, March 3). Manila Bulletin, pp. 9, 14.