US Diplomat Says Philippines a Valued Ally, But Drug Killings Are Disturbing

MANILA – Daniel Russel, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs guaranteed the Philippines that the United States will stay as its “trusted” ally. Also, the most senior US diplomat for Asia said on Monday that Washington backed the developing ties with the Philippines and China.

Bad for business

However, Russel conveyed the US concern over the drug-related killings in the Southeast Asian country. He said that the increasing number of extrajudicial slayings in the Philippines was “bad for business”.

Since assuming the presidency on June 30, 2,300 people have been killed in his anti-drugs campaign. Duterte has been contemptuous about U.S. criticizing the extra-judicial killings.

Meanwhile, Russel claimed the US supports the Philippines anti-narcotics campaign. He also insisted that human rights should not be disregarded on its war against drugs. The US diplomat said, “The growing uncertainty about this and other issues is bad for business. This is a very competitive region.”

Still the “closest friend”

President Rodrigo Duterte declared in a shocking statement, the country’s “separation” from the United States while visiting Beijing last week. The visit also signifies a realignment of political ties between the two Southeast Asian countries. The US diplomat was the first high-level visitor from the White House after the president’s provocative statement.

On Saturday, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay explains Duterte’s “Goodbye America” comments. According to Yasay, the United States will remain the “closest friend” of the country but sought freedom from the “mindset of dependency and subservience” while establishing closer ties with other countries.

In an interview after meeting with Yasay, Russel said that Duterte “has already walked back”. Russel stated that Washington is helping open dialogue and negotiations between the Philippines and China. The US diplomat said, “So, it’s a mistake to think that improved relations between Manila and Beijing somehow come at the expense of the U.S.” He also added, “We don’t want countries to have to choose between the U.S. and China.”

Russel also conveyed his concern on the “succession of controversial statements, comments and a real climate of uncertainty about the Philippines’ intentions has created consternation in a number of countries”. For the US Diplomat, Duterte’s controversial statement is “not a positive trend.”

According to the US State Department website, the US diplomat for Asia arranged a three-nation visit throughout Southeast Asia which includes Thailand and Cambodia.

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