South China Sea heats up as Philippines drops the F-bomb over Chinese boats

While China might ignore the war of words, it could ‘flex its military muscle’ instead, expert warns

The Philippines has taken the gloves off in its dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea, with its top diplomat dropping the F-bomb as he demanded the withdrawal of Chinese vessels near the Scarborough Shoal.

“Get the f*** out” of Philippine maritime waters

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr dispensed with diplomatic niceties as he took to Twitter on Monday, calling China an “Ugly oaf” and demanding it “get the f*** out” of Philippine maritime waters.

His colourful language followed reports that Chinese coastguard ships had harassed their Philippine counterparts in the vicinity of the shoal, which is claimed by both countries.

The shoal lies 220km west of the Philippine island of Luzon and is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but is also within the nine-dash line that Beijing uses to stake its claims to more than 90% of the South China Sea.

‘We do not want war’: Philippines’ Duterte refuses to end South China Sea patrols, despite Beijing’s call for them to stop

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he will not withdraw navy and coastguard vessels patrolling the disputed South China Sea, insisting the country’s sovereignty over the waters is not negotiable.

Tensions over the sea – which China claims almost entirely – have spiked as Beijing refuses to pull out vessels from the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and Manila steps up maritime patrols.

Duterte is under growing domestic pressure to take a harder line, but has been reluctant to confront China over the issue as he fosters closer ties with the economic giant.

Go get'm Rodrigo!