Duterte’s noise about US ties

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has until now only made empty threats, but if they are carried out, Asia will reel under the impact.

When it comes to the US, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte does not mince his words.

In statements often laced with expletives, Duterte has told the people of the US that they can leave if they do not stop criticizing the thousands of extrajudicial killings that have blighted his anti-crime drive.

Duterte has claimed he can always turn to China or even Russia for arms and funds.

Duterte has said he does not want to cut “our umbilical cord to countries we are allied with.” Lately, though, all he has done is run scissors through that cord.

Last month, Duterte said he wanted the US special forces operating against terrorists in southern Philippines to leave. He then ordered the Philippine navy to stop conducting patrols with the US forces in the South China Sea.

Last week, he made an announcement that this month’s joint military exercises will be the last while he is president, although his defense minister later clarified that the matter is still being reviewed.

Duterte then threatened to scrap a 2014 defense pact that allowed the US to use at least eight Philippine military bases.

For now, it is all just chest-thumping. However, if Duterte carries out his threats, Asia will have to bear the brunt.

Due to its location and history, the Philippines is central to the US efforts to check China‘s expansion in the region. It has served as a fence that has prevented China from controlling 90 per cent of the South China Sea.

The Philippines is also at the front line in the war on terror, as its troubled south has become a safe haven for militants fleeing Syria, Iraq, Indonesia, Malaysia and other hot spots.

US assistance has been key in keeping these terrorists at bay. Duterte is threatening to end these arrangements. However, his aides have signaled that it is mostly noise, and nothing yet is set in stone.

The world can take comfort in that.

(The Straits Times)