Philippine President Duterte Guarantees Japan; No Military Alliance with China

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has arrived in Tokyo for a three-day talk about economic and other shared interest with Japan, and also to assure Japan that his recent visit to Beijing last week was about building economic ties.

Outspoken President Duterte’s visit to Japan comes with harsh statements against its long-time ally the United States, threatening he might abrogate defense treaties.

Last week the President announced his “separation” from the United States. Nevertheless, after a few days, he explained that he was not “severing” ties. Further, he insisted he was merely pursuing independent foreign policy.

His aggressively confusing statements poses a worry for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is strengthening  ties with Washington while building security relations with Manila and other Southeast Asian countries to counter China’s military activities.

The President said in a Japanese Business Forum, “You know I went to China for a visit. And I would like to assure you that all there was, was economics. We did not talk about arms. We avoided talking about alliances…”

“We did not talk about arms. We did not talk about the stationing of troops.”
Telling Japan is a “long-standing friend and ally.”

President Duterte said he does not want to fight with his neighbors. However, he released a statement saying he is not a “dog on a leash” and added to cancel Philippines’ defense pacts with the United States.

“I have declared that I will pursue an independent foreign policy. I want, maybe in the next two years, my country free of the presence of foreign military troops. I want them out,” he added. “And if I have to revise or abrogate agreements, executive agreements, this shall be the last maneuver, war games between the United States and the Philippines military.”

For the past 2 months, the President has threatened to abrogate defense agreements with the United States.

President Duterte’s relationship with Beijing poses a threat for both Tokyo and Washington.

Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino angered China by lodging an arbitration case in The Hague. It was a formal challenge to the legitimacy of China’s maritime claim in the South China Sea. Earlier this year, a ruling came out in favor of Manila. It was immediately rejected by China, with warnings to Tokyo and Washington to stay out of the feud.

Japan an ‘old reliable friend’

The President is also expected to have bilateral talks with PM Shinzo Abe, and sought to assure that his friendship was firm despite his row with Washington.

“We would like to make the guarantee that we will also be a partner in the player of maritime safety, maritime security in the China Sea and that we would like to avoid at all costs violence because … we have to resolve it peacefully and in accordance with international law,” said President Duterte.

“Japan is an old and reliable friend of the Philippines. This is a special friendship we hope to keep and continue.”

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