MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday assured China that he meant no harm when he ordered the military to occupy islands in the South China Sea.

Speaking to reporters before his departure for Middle East, Duterte told China that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not place any weapons in Philippine islands in the South China Sea.

"We are just there to claim the island for us because that is really ours and I have ordered the AFP to build structures there to signify atin ito."

"For the information of China we will not place there any offensive weapons, not even one gun," he said.

Duterte last week said he has ordered the AFP to occupy all islands the country claims in the South China Sea.

"We have to maintain our jurisdiction over South China Sea," Duterte told reporters last week.

China has expressed concern over Duterte's directive, urging Manila to "properly manage" the maritime dispute.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said that Beijing hopes Manila would work to maintain bilateral ties between the two countries.

"Having noted the report, the Chinese side is concerned about it. We hope the Philippine side will continue to properly manage maritime disputes with China and work with us to maintain the sound and steady growth of China-Philippines relations," Hua said.

Duterte explained that his orders came amid a "heightening of geopolitical issues" in the area but clarified that he does not want to get involved in any war.

"I do not want to get involved in a war with nations," he said.

• READ: Palace tells China: Duterte's instructions cover only PH

Duterte also urged Beijing to understand Manila's position, since "everybody’s grabbing every land."

"I have extended my hand in friendship to the Chinese government.
Kindly, kindly take a deep look in the situation... We did not mean no harm to China, we are friends as a matter of fact," he said.

The President even said that if the country gets "very rich," he may even consider selling Philippine islands in the South China Sea to Beijing.

"And maybe when we get rich very rich I can sell the land to you inyo na, when the spectacle of a war is gone," he said.

Manila is involved in an arbitration dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea.

Last year, The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China’s claim and declared that Beijing had violated Manila’s rights to fish and explore for resources in the disputed waters.

Beijing however has rejected the decision.