The Philippines president said he was ready to talk to China, not go to war, if an arbitration tribunal rules in its favor in a case it brought against Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea.
President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines “remains optimistic that the tribunal will rule in our favor.” But if the ruling is not favorable, then the Philippines would accept and abide by it, he added. “When it’s favorable to us, let’s talk,” he said. “We are not prepared to go to war, war is a dirty word.”
But he said the country will proceed accordingly after it obtains a copy of the judgment, and will base decisions on the Philippines’ greater interest.
The China Daily reported Monday that China was ready to start negotiations with the Philippines if Manila ignores the tribunal ruling, which is expected to be issued on July 12.
The Philippines brought its long-simmering disputes with China in the South China Sea to international arbitration in January 2013 after Beijing took control of disputed Scarborough Shoal following a standoff.
At his first Cabinet meeting after taking office last week, Duterte expressed the need for the Philippines to fully study the impact of the ruling, whether favorable or not.

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