Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte wants China to patrol international waters

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he would be "glad" if China sent ships to patrol international waters in Southeast Asia.

Duterte made the comment in a speech Tuesday evening during an oath-taking ceremony for armed forces of the Philippines officers in Manila. He said China could patrol international waters similarly to how they did off the coast of Somalia, referring to Chinese ships protecting trade routes from pirates as part of an international effort.

"By the way, I also asked China, if they can patrol the international waters without necessarily intruding into the territorial waters of countries. We would be glad to have their presence there," Duterte said. "Just to patrol like what they did in Somalia."

Duterte said China could help protect trade routes in Southeast Asia from the threat of terrorism and piracy, particularly in the Malacca Strait and the Sulu Sea. He said if trade routes become more dangerous or are blocked, international trade routes could shift, becoming more expensive, and companies could pay higher insurance rates -- meaning consumers would pay higher prices for goods and services.

On Sunday, Duterte said he ordered the National Police to suspend the country's war on drugs and to "cleanse" itself from corruption.

Duterte's speech is available to view online.