Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has again criticised the United States, saying it could forget a bilateral defence deal if he stayed in power long enough.
The fresh attack from Mr Duterte came as he was about to board a plane for an official visit to fellow US ally Japan, a big investor in the Philippines that is becoming nervous about its apparent pivot towards rival power China.
Mr Duterte had softened his remarks last week about a "separation" from the US, telling Japanese media he was not planning to change alliances and was only seeking to build trade and commerce with China.
But this morning he said he hated having foreign troops in the Philippines and told the United States not to treat his country "like a dog with a leash".
Commenting on a visit to Manila yesterday by Daniel Russel, an Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Duterte said the US should forget about an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines if he were to stay in charge longer.
"You have the EDCA, well forget it. If I stay here long enough," he said. "I do not want to see any military man of any other nation except the Filipino. That's the only thing I want."
He did not elaborate on what staying longer meant. In the Philippines, a president is allowed only one six-year term in office.
Mr Duterte last week announced in China his "separation" from the United States, before assuring that ties were not being severed and he was merely pursuing an independent foreign policy.
[rte.ie]
25/10/16
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The fresh attack from Mr Duterte came as he was about to board a plane for an official visit to fellow US ally Japan, a big investor in the Philippines that is becoming nervous about its apparent pivot towards rival power China.
Mr Duterte had softened his remarks last week about a "separation" from the US, telling Japanese media he was not planning to change alliances and was only seeking to build trade and commerce with China.
But this morning he said he hated having foreign troops in the Philippines and told the United States not to treat his country "like a dog with a leash".
Commenting on a visit to Manila yesterday by Daniel Russel, an Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Duterte said the US should forget about an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines if he were to stay in charge longer.
"You have the EDCA, well forget it. If I stay here long enough," he said. "I do not want to see any military man of any other nation except the Filipino. That's the only thing I want."
He did not elaborate on what staying longer meant. In the Philippines, a president is allowed only one six-year term in office.
Mr Duterte last week announced in China his "separation" from the United States, before assuring that ties were not being severed and he was merely pursuing an independent foreign policy.
[rte.ie]
25/10/16
-
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