Lorenzana said the United States and Philippines had conducted two “passing through” manoeuvres over the section of the sea claimed by Manila this year, but not actual “combat patrols”. His aim, he said, is to loosen ties with the US and give his Southeast Asian country a more “independent” foreign policy, with “new alliances” with China and Russian Federation.
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“We can live without [that]”, Lorenzana told a foreign correspondents’ forum.
The Philippines Defense Minister has notified the US military that plans for joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea are being put on hold, the Associated Press reported Friday.
Duterte again said he does not mind severing ties with the USA in the future.
Lorenzana added that he will ask a small detachment of US soldiers to leave the Philippines, but only after the Philippines can carry out the missions on its own. “The Americans failed to beef up our capabilities to be at par with what is happening in the region”.
In his latest remarks Thursday, Duterte dared Obama and the European Union to withdraw their financial assistance from the Philippines over their criticisms of his bloody crackdown, but warned of an unspecified backlash. “You should mind your own country”, Panelo said.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday dared the United States’ CIA spy agency to try and oust him, as he branded Western critics of his deadly crime war “animals” and vowed many more killings. But we will never, never compromise our dignity. “He takes it very personally”, he added. Eventually in my time I would break up with America. He said he wanted them out of the volatile south, saying their presence has inflamed restiveness among minority Muslims, which could complicate efforts to forge a peace accord with Muslim insurgents.
Mr Duterte said the ongoing amphibious beach landing drill will be last, along with the 28 military exercises carried out by the nations’ joint military forces every year.
‘It depends on the decision of the higher-ups.
“If you think it is high time for you guys to withdraw your assistance, go ahead we will not beg for it”, Duterte said, adding he doesn’t expect the US, EU, and human rights group to understand his policy.
Lorenzana added he plans to travel to China and Russian Federation soon to strengthen ties with the two countries.
“We will go there just to check them out”.
In fact, he said the ambassadors of India and Russian Federation have offered some sophisticated equipment that Washington has not offered.
“We sacrificed for you”.
“I came here with a prepared speech but I will not read it… You can have your cake-pin me down-and eat it too”, Duterte said.
Lorenzana had earlier in the week set a conciliatory tone, saying Duterte may have been misinformed when he said US-Philippine military exercises were of no benefit to his country.
But, he acknowledged, US-made materials and technology remain well-known world-wide. “Invite them. I have met (Russian Prime Minister Dmitry) Medvedev during the (Asean) Summit”. “Next year pa ‘yung akin, because you know I entered midterm, June”, he said. But it’s the decision of higher-ups. Lorenzana implied the move might be temporary.
“Whatever the decision of the government, we will follow”.
Russel did not draw a direct comparison, but past Philippine presidents have been toppled by popular protests dubbed “people power”, including former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in 1986. “The implementation of EDCA started this year”, he said.
Destiny carries so many things.
“We’ve got a great relationship”.
Severing ties with China would have an impact on maritime security as well as the livelihood of local fishermen, the President has said. We are not a rich country.
“But, let’s see, there is always a day for reckoning”.
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It would also weaken the influence of the United States over the disputed island particularly in South China Sea region, according to some reports. And if it is just the two of us there, I will present the problem to him. “Trade is different”, Lorenzana said. “We would check it out, we will find out”, he said.
