President Rodrigo Duterte has warned China of “suicide missions” in the South China Sea (Image: GETTY)
Mr Duterte’s warning followed China’s increased presence around Pag-asa island, also known as Thitu. The island has reportedly been swarmed by hundreds of Chinese vessels. Mr Duterte said at a press conference: “I will not plead or beg, but I am just telling you that lay off the Pag-asa because I have soldiers there.
“If you touch it, that’s another story.
"Then I will tell my soldiers ‘prepare for suicide missions’.”
The Philippines President has previously kept China as a close ally in the hope to attract trade and investment.
But he has called on the Chinese ships’ presence an “illegal” violation of Philippine sovereignty.
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The country’s warning to
