Duterte has dared the US to send its seventh fleet, which is stationed in Japan, into the disputed sea in a bid to push back China’s claims on the strategic waterway. The President added his navy would follow the US into the confl!ct, CNN reported. The US and the Philippines operate under a Mutual Defence Treaty and will support each other in an attack by an external party.
Duterte told reporters on Monday: “When they enter the South China Sea, I will enter.
“I will ride with the American who goes there first.
“I will invite Carpio, Del Rosario, Morales to ride with me. Then I will tell the Americans, ‘Okay, let's bomb everything’.”
His comments come after he encouraged the US to “fire the first shot” during a speech in Leyte last Friday.
