Most Filipinos Still Trust U.S. Over China Despite Duterte Statements

Newly elected Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been disrupting relations between the countries long-time ally the United States. A few months after the elections, the President repeatedly made vulgar comments about the U.S. government, their envoy in Manila and United States’ President Barrack Obama. He threatened to kick out U.S special forces operating in the country and ended the annual exercise with the U.S. military.

Recently, President Duterte visited China to secure a new economic alliance, but he went a step further releasing a provocative statement against the U.S.

In a business forum in Beijing’s Great Hall of People, President Duterte said, “In this venue, I announce my separation from the United States.” He went further by saying “Americans are loud, sometimes rowdy,” and that their vocal chords are “not adjusted to civility.”

President Duterte’s sudden alliance with China has surprised many including his own officials, they released statements backtracking the President statements.

Over the past, the Philippine government has been suspicious of American activities, first in the form of Washington’s imperial rule and its military presence over the country.
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said, “we are going to be seeking an explanation of exactly what the president meant when he talked about separation from us,” he added, “It’s not clear to us exactly what that means and all its ramifications.”

Duterte still the most trustworthy

After releasing statements against western leaders, President Duterte remains the most trusted official at home, despite recent opinion polls showing the majority of Filipinos still trust the United States over China.

In 2015, polls show 92% of Filipinos had a more favorable view of the United States, only 54% looks at China more favorably. Filipinos attitude over the United States surpasses its neighbors’ by a great deal. A Manila-Based newspaper also said, “Filipinos like the U.S. even more than the Americans do.”

Despite President Duterte’s hostility toward Washington, the public’s view over its traditional ally hardly changed.

Some reports suggest that his views over the U.S. connect to episodes of abuse during his childhood made by an American Jesuit priest.

Filipino Congressman Walden Bello describes the president as “very knee-jerk kind of politician who is extremely sensitive to criticisms and personalizes them,” he added, “L’état, c’est moi — that’s him.”

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