Asia

Duterte:'It will be bloody' if Philippine territory breached

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures with a fist bump during his visit to the Philippine Army's Camp Mateo Capinpin at Tanay township, Rizal province east of Manila, Philippines Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. President Duterte's threat to withdraw the Philippines from the United Nations, later cushioned by his foreign secretary, is the latest flamboyantly irreverent utterance from a politician who has disparaged the pope, human rights advocates, the United States and other countries who controvert his worldview. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte poses with Philippine troops during his visit to the Philippine Army's Camp Mateo Capinpin at Tanay township, Rizal province east of Manila,Philippines Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. President Duterte's threat to withdraw the Philippines from the United Nations, later cushioned by his foreign secretary, is the latest flamboyantly irreverent utterance from a politician who has disparaged the pope, human rights advocates, the United States and other countries who controvert his worldview.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses the troops during his visit to the Philippine Army's Camp Mateo Capinpin at Tanay township, Rizal province east of Manila, Philippines Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. President Duterte's threat to withdraw the Philippines from the United Nations, later cushioned by his foreign secretary, is the latest flamboyantly irreverent utterance from a politician who has disparaged the pope, human rights advocates, the United States and other countries who controvert his worldview.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

The Philippine president says he will walk the extra mile for peace but warns China "it will be bloody" if the militarily superior Asian neighbor infringes on his country's territory.

President Rodrigo Duterte issued the warning Wednesday in comments on the Philippines' territorial disputes with China in a speech before troops at an army camp east of Manila.

Duterte said China has been conciliatory and he does not want any fight, but he fears what will happen if peaceful efforts fail.

Duterte said: "I guarantee to them, if you enter here, it will be bloody. And we will not give it to them easily. It will be the bones of our soldiers, you can include mine."