Friday, November 11, 2016

Philippines will continue to favor China despite Trump win in US

The President of the Philippines said Friday his foreign policy will continue favoring enhanced ties with China despite the election of a new United States president.

"I will continue what I have started. My partnership with China and the rest of the ASEAN (Association of the Southeast Asian Nations) remains," said Rodrigo Duterte in Davao after returning home from an official two-day visit to Malaysia, according to radio station CNN Philippines.

"I sail the state of the nation and it should be pushed by the self-interest of our nation only," added Duterte who, since his win in the May elections, has highlighted the importance of a foreign policy less dependent on the US.

  • His statements come despite the conciliatory tone he has adopted towards Washington with the win of Donald Trump, and who he had congratulated a few hours after his victory.
  • "What (Trump and I) share in common is the passion to serve," Duterte had said.

The president had also confirmed the Philippines will comply with all military agreements signed with the US, including the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement,which allows the presence of US troops on Philippine bases.

However, he also expressed his disagreement on the military exercises, which for years the armed forces of the two countries have carried out on a regular basis.

"In every military exercise, it is only America who learns much", said Duterte, who hopes to put an end to the joint drills before his mandate ends in 2022.

"We do not need anybody to train the Filipino soldier. By themselves, they are warriors and capable of conventional war," he added.

The US and the Philippines have been traditional allies but relations have been strained under the presidency of Duterte, who took office on June 30.

Duterte has been critical of the US, which, along with other international bodies, repeatedly condemned Duterte's anti-drugs campaign, which has left 4,726 dead, including 1,725 in police operations and the rest in the hands of vigilante groups, for alleged human rights violations.
 EFE - EPA
11/11/16
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