Duterte on South China Sea dispute: We shut up

MANILA, Philippines – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said that he will not make any statement on the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea dispute until the United Nations tribunal issues its ruling on the case.

The United Nations' Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, Netherlands is yet to issue its ruling on the Philippines' arbitration case against China.

"Dito sa (West Philippine Sea), we shut up. We will wait for the decision before we make any public statement. We are just waiting for the arbitral judgment," Duterte said in his speech at the flag-raising ceremony in Davao City on Monday morning.

The incoming president added that he will consult with other government agencies first before taking the next step on the sea dispute.

"'Wag na muna natin pakialaman yan. I have to talk to everybody in the government to decide, including the military," Duterte said.

The Philippines was the first country to challenge China's nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.

China, however, refused to participate in the proceedings and stressed that it will not accept the ruling of the international tribunal.

Duterte has said in the past that he is willing to enter into talks with China over the dispute in the South China Sea, part of which Manila claims as part of its exclusive economic zone and calls the West Philippine Sea.

"Why would I go to war?" he said earlier this month. "I will not waste the lives of people there."