Philippines’ Duterte: Russia, China Supportive When He Complained Against US

In a new tirade against Washington, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday he received support from China and Russia when he complained to them about the United States.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had agreed with him during a meeting on the sidelines of a leader’s summit in Laos last month when he criticized the United States, Duterte said.

Duterte disclosed during a speech, “I am revealing it to you now. I told him this is the situation: They are giving me a hard time. They are disrespecting me. They are shameless.”

“He said: ‘That is really how the Americans are.’ He said: ‘We will help you.’”

US President Barack Obama’s voicing over his opposition to Duterte’s deadly war on drugs has been a cause for annoyance for the Filipino president.

Duterte had called Obama a “son of a bitch” when Obama raised concerns about Duterte’s bloody campaign on drugs. This has caused the White House to cancel a meeting between the two leaders in Laos.

Duterte also mentioned his complaints about the United States to China, he said on Sunday. According to Duterte, a Chinese official said that the Philippines would not gain from siding with the United States.

As part of Duterte’s quest for an independent foreign policy, he has mentioned frequently that he intends to forge new partnerships with Russia and China, specifically for trade and commerce.

Duterte will visit Beijing on October 19 to 21 accompanied by a Philippine business delegation.

Re-evaluation of security arrangement with the US

In another jab at the US, Duterte said that he would review a significant security agreement with the United States, as it may not be binding since it does not bear the signature of the president of the Philippines. The US ambassador and then Philippine defense secretary signed the agreement.

The landmark security deal, known as Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, was signed before Obama visited the Philippines in 2014. It grants US troops access to Philippine military bases. It also gives them authority to put up storage facilities for maritime security and disaster response operations.

Although Duterte did not overtly say that the deal would be cancelled, it would be a huge setback for US attempts to enhance its authority in Asia and offset that of a rapidly emerging China if it does happens.

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