Expert: Duterte's statements on South China Sea inconsistent

An oceanic law master said President Rodrigo Duterte's announcements on the debated islands in the South China Sea are conflicting with the organization's past stands.

"We were really the ones who supported a stop on any new occupation… So in the event that we were to now possess new reefs, then we would walk out on our own position, which we have been hanging on for such a variety of decades now," said University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea Director Jay Batongbacal.

The way that the President is making hurried remarks, Batongbacal included, appears to show he does not have a more profound comprehension of the issue.

"It is possible that he was not educated by any stretch of the imagination, or he had a wrong impression in the matter of what is happening, in the Kalayaan island bunch," he said.

Batongbacal says the president's remarks raises worry in front of one-on-one talks amongst China and the Philippines in May.

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

Conflicting explanations

Before leaving for the Middle East on Monday, Duterte by and by tended to the exceedingly challenged islands in the South China Sea.

"I requested the control of the ten or nine islands that are recently close to our shores in light of the fact that there is elevating of geopolitical issues and in the long run possibly a fierce low-power war here," Duterte said.

Nonetheless, the president additionally attempted to conciliate China while sounding insubordinate, saying no hostile weapons will be utilized after affirming sway over the islands.

Duterte to China: Relax, no firearms, just structures in PH islands

In his discourse in Palawan on April 6, Duterte said he wants to visit Pag-asa Island in the Spratlys on Independence Day to raise the Philippine banner.

The President likewise asserted he had requested the Armed Forces to "possess" the nine islands in the Kalayaan gathering of islands, manufacture foundation and place the Philippine banner in the zone.

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

Nonetheless, the Defense division rushed to clear up that Duterte just needed repairs of offices on the nine islets and elements on the Kalayaan Island Group, and that these have been under Philippine control since the mid 70s.

The Department of Defense said the repairs are restricted to fighters' military quarters, water frameworks, and even havens for anglers.

In 2002, individuals from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, drove by the Philippines, pushed for the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which intends to make inquirer nations practice patience, for example, possessing uninhabited islands int he challenged regions