President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Duterte made the statement as he led the inspection of newly delivered air assets in Clark, Pampanga Friday, February 12. In his speech, Duterte reiterated that he cannot be “brave in the mouth” against China but said the situation requires the presence of the US in the Philippines. “I’m walking on a tightrope. I cannot afford to be brave in the mouth against China because we are avoiding any confrontation that would lead to something we can hardly afford– at least not this time,” he said. “The exigency of the moment requires their (Americans) presence here… Okay lang ‘yan sa akin (I’m fine with it), but we do not like it because we want to remain neutral. We do not want to quarrel with anyone,” he added.