Talk, but verify with China: Are you threatening us?

INSTEAD of getting hysterical and agitated over President Xi Jinping’s alleged threat of war against the Philippines, it is more sensible to verify with the Chinese government or Xi Jinping whether China is indeed threatening war against the Philippines over our conflicting claims to parts of the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea.

The big row rests on President Duterte’s account of a conversation he had with Chinese officials, especially President Xi. DU 30 says China threatened to go to war over the maritime dispute if the Philippines began drilling for oil.