Philippines duterte says chinas manmade islands not a problem

You're referring to the controversy surrounding China's construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea!

Yes, you're correct. In 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte took a softer stance on China's artificial islands in the South China Sea, saying that they were not a major concern for the Philippines.

At the time, China had been rapidly building artificial islands in the Spratly Islands, a disputed region in the South China Sea, which is also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The construction of these islands has been seen as a way for China to assert its territorial claims in the region and potentially limit the freedom of navigation for other countries.

However, in 2016, President Duterte, who had just taken office, took a more conciliatory approach towards China, saying that the artificial islands were not a major problem for the Philippines. He even went so far as to say that he was willing to set aside the country's territorial disputes with China in order to improve economic ties between the two countries.

Duterte's stance was seen as a significant shift in the Philippines' approach to the South China Sea dispute, as previous administrations had been more vocal in their opposition to China's actions. However, his decision to downplay the issue was met with criticism from some quarters, who argued that it was a mistake to compromise on the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It's worth noting that the Philippines has continued to assert its claims to the South China Sea, and has taken steps to strengthen its military presence in the region. However, the country's approach to the issue has been more nuanced under Duterte's administration, with a greater emphasis on economic cooperation with China and a willingness to engage in diplomatic talks to resolve the dispute.