Philippines’ outspoken President Rodrigo Duterte claimed on Friday week that the Chinese President Xi Jinping has threatened him with a war against his plans to go for drilling in the South China Sea, which is almost entirely claimed by China. However, the Philippines won a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague last July that rejected China’s assertion to the territory. China has said the tribunal has no jurisdiction over sovereignty disputes. After that ruling, President Duterte met with his Chinese counterpart and signaled the world as if he is moving out of the U.S. camp in favor of closer ties with China.

While delivering a speech at the National Convention of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary in Davao City he recollected a conversation between him and the Chinese President Xi Jinping to explain why he didn’t move ahead with pressing claims over disputed waters. Mr. Duterte said, “I really said, ‘It’s ours. I’d like you to listen for a while.’ I said, ‘Mr. Xi Jinping, I would insist that that is ours and I will drill oil there……….. [Xi Jinping] replied to me, ‘We are friends. We do not want to quarrel with you……..We want to maintain the present warm relationship. But if you force the issue, we’ll go to war’”. He added, “What more could I say?”

However, Philippines’ foreign minister started damage control after Duterte’s explosive claims which were well-televised. Manila’s foreign minister said on Monday that the talks last week between leaders of China and the Philippines were frank and friendly, with no threats or bullying. The President himself has taken a U-turn on Monday by committing to bolster closer ties with Russia and China. In an interview with Moscow-based TV network Russia Today, President Duterte said that though he has nothing against the US, the Philippines needs a foreign policy that is independent of American interests: "I have nothing against America, [US President Donald] Trump is my friend. But my foreign policy has shifted. I want to deal with China and Russia. Because in Western world, it’s double talk."