Duterte drops planned visit to disputed isles

Seven days in the wake of saying he wanted to go to debated isles in the West Philippine Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday that he would no longer push through with the visit to save great relations with China.

Addressing Filipinos in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Duterte said China had sent word requesting that him not go to the Kalayaan or Spratly gathering of islands and plant the Philippine banner in the region.

Related: Duterte arrangements to visit Pag-asa Island, rename Benham Rise

He said China clarified that other inquirer nations may go with the same pattern.

"Kindly don't do that. What will happen if each head of state will go there and plant banners, there will be inconvenience," Duterte said summarizing the message from China.

He said he reacted by saying he esteemed the companionship with the Asian superpower and "might want to save that goodwill" — refering to highly enhanced fares of Philippine items to China.

Related: Duterte: Despite ocean push, PH, 'best case scenario level' of ties with China

Be that as it may, Duterte said he may not actually visit the Spratlys, but rather he countered with another motion to lay claim on the debated domain.

"I won't go there to raise the Philippine banner. Possibly I will send my child just to appear there the blood there of the petitioner," he said.

Last Thursday, the President said he wanted to visit Pag-asa Island to raise the Philippine banner there on June 12, Independence Day.

In the interim, with respect to the Benham Rise, Duterte rehashed that he needed it renamed the "Philippine Ridge" to declare the nation's claim to the submerged level.