Duterte to ‘set aside’ sea dispute ruling
Print Edition
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte said he would “set aside” a ruling by an international arbitration tribunal over the South China Sea issue because he did not want to impose on China.
Duterte made the remarks on Saturday when asked at a news conference whether an American think-tank report that China had installed anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapons on its new artificial islands in the disputed waters would affect his perception of Beijing.
Duterte, who took office in June, has taken steps to mend relations with China that became hostile during the time of his predecessor Benigno Aquino over the long-unresolved territorial disputes. The Aquino administration took the disputes to international arbitration in a move backed by Washington.
“In the play of politics, now, I will set aside the arbitral ruling. I will not impose anything on China,” Duterte said.
He explained his position partly by repeating his threat to remove American forces out of the Philippines after US President Barack Obama’s administration criticized Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs.
“I will demand that they go out of my country. What’s the use of keeping, hosting them when they think we are a bunch of criminals?” Duterte asked. “Go, go out. If you do not believe in us, why deal with us? Son of (bitches).”
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said last Friday the Philippines would not take any steps against China in response to the report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday that China appears to have installed weapons to guard against missile attack on its seven islands in the South China Sea.
Enraged by US deferred aid vote
The United States said yesterday it would work with the Philippine president to address any concerns after he threatened to terminate a pact that allows US troops to visit the Philippines.
Duterte was enraged after a US government aid agency deferred a vote on a renewal of a major development assistance package for the Philippines over concerns about killings in Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.
Although no decision on the aid package has been taken, Duterte on Saturday launched an expletives-laden tirade, telling the United States to “prepare to leave the Philippines, prepare for the eventual repeal or the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
He was referring to a 1998 accord that governs American forces visiting the Philippines for joint combat exercises.
“You know, tit for tat ... if you can do this, so (can) we. It ain’t a one-way traffic,” Duterte said, adding tauntingly, “Bye-bye America.”
The US Embassy in Manila responded yesterday that Washington would work closely with the Duterte administration to address any concerns it might have.
While calling Americans “sons of bitches” and “hypocrites,” Duterte on Saturday praised China as having “the kindest soul of all” for offering what he said was significant financial assistance. “So, what do I need America for?” he asked.
He also said Russia could be a very important ally. “They do not insult people, they do not interfere.”
The Philippines has been due another aid package after its previous five-year, US$434 million poverty reduction program was completed in May.
Laura Allen, a spokeswoman for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, said last Thursday that it would continue to monitor events in the Philippines before the next board review in March.
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