Duterte tells Obama “Go to Hell” . . . Threatens to break up with the U.S.

Philippine’s President Duterte onslaught of fiery statements continues as he told the US President Obama to “Go to Hell”. In a press conference held on Tuesday during the start of the joint military exercises, he said, “Mr. Obama, you can go to hell. … The EU better choose purgatory.”

The military exercises began on Tuesday and will end on October 12. These military drills that the two countries observed for the past years are coming to an end. Duterte said, “I serve notice to you now that this will be the last joint military exercise with US,”

The President of the Philippines behavioral outburst of fierce words came after the United States prevalent condemnation of his anti-drug campaign.

Since Duterte assumed office thousands of suspected drug dealers and drug users died during police operations. These suspects were involved in questionable allegations about resisting arrest resulting to shootouts. While many are left dead on the streets around the country in vigilante style killing. Victims only identifiable through signboards attached to their bodies describing their involvement in the illegal drugs.

Duterte also compared himself to Hitler, where the slayings of drug suspects are synonymous to those of holocausts. World leaders criticized Duterte on the insensitivity of his statements.

The president later apologized to the Jewish community.

The president however answered the criticism bitterly as he cites his willingness to affiliate with China and Russia and severe ties with the US. He said on Tuesday, “Respect is important. If this is what happens now, I will be re-configuring my foreign policy. Eventually I might, in my time, I will break up with America. I’d rather go to Russia and to China.”

Shaky relationship

Duterte’s venomous statement to Obama contradicts the “warm relationship” between the two countries said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.

Earnest mentioned that US aid to the Philippines after natural disasters proves that both countries maintain a close relationship. He cited US relief efforts in natural disaster for the Philippines. The White House has not received any formal letter from the Philippines to alter their mutual agreement.

Furthermore, the White House stood firm on their previous statements that they will “not hesitate” to probe the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. The US spokesman said it is “entirely inconsistent” with universal values of human rights. He added, “We won’t be silent in raising our significant concerns about these reports”.

Unrelenting prosecution of the war on drugs

Last year, Duterte lead the election with enormous lead against his rivals. His vow for a remorseless anti-drug campaign rallied voters to him in the election despite being accused of maintaining the Davao Death Squad.

Similar rhetoric flavored his speech on Tuesday, when he said, “Until the last pusher is taken out of the street. It will be unrelenting.”

The president also added that when still the Mayor of Davao, he used to tell criminals, “If you will not leave my city, I will kill you,”

He justified this by saying, “There is no law at all which says I cannot threaten criminals as mayor or even as president.”

Police made thousands of arrests and a huge number surrendered under Duterte’s policy of “knock and plead” operation. Police knock on the doors of alleged drug suspects and appealed for them to register as drug dependents with the local officials. Duterte‘s firm order to the police is to kill drug suspects if they choose to fight back.

During the first months since he assumed post, Duterte made several fierce statement against it longtime ally, the US.

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. questioned last month whether the anti-drug campaign “reduces the rule of law”. They believed it was damaging the image of the country.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter confirmed last week the the long standing alliance with the Philippines is “iron clad”.  He also said, the US and Philippines connection “has served the interests of our nations for many years now”. Moreover, he added that there are ongoing talks on “alliance operations” with the Philippines.

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