MANILA, Philippines — Security forces would grab power and take over the government if ordered to go to war with China over the South China Sea dispute, President Duterte said yesterday. Duterte said the military and police would defy him if he asks them to go to war over the maritime row. China claims about 90 percent of the South China Sea but this is being disputed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Duterte reiterated that declaring war with China would only result in a “massacre” of Filipino soldiers. Roque did not give specifics about the incident but maintained the President would not give up the Philippines’ rights in the South China Sea.

Source: Philippine Star June 06, 2018 15:56 UTC