‘US remains strong ally of Philippines’

Diplomat clears confusion over Dutertes’ stand

Manila: Daniel Russel, the most senior US diplomat for Asia, said that President Rodrigo Dutertes’ brash foreign policy statements were creating consternation in the US and other nations, however the deep ties between Manila and Washington are providing stability.

“The succession of controversial statements and comments, and a real climate of uncertainty about the Philippines’ intentions has created consternation in several countries and not only in mine”, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Russel said shortly after meeting Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay.

Yasay later told reporters that Russel did not express concern in the manner suggested, or that he is worried.

“He wanted clarification, and I clarified President Rodrigo Dutertes’ stand.”

Russel is in Manila amid confusion over Dutertes’ foreign policy.

During his four-day state visit to China last week, the Philippines 71-year-old president declared a separation with the US, his nation’s treaty ally since 1951, and a realignment with China, and even Russia.

He backtracked from that declaration last Saturday, saying he did not mean to cut diplomatic ties with Washington.

He also noted that the US remains the Philippines’ closest friend.

Russel said the US welcomes a relaxation in relations between the Philippines and China.

“It’s a mistake to think that improved relations between Manila and Beijing come at the expense of the US. That is not the way we think about it”, he said.

“We don’t want countries to choose between the US or China,” he added.

“However, we do want countries to have choices and the autonomy to make their own decisions in keeping with their own democratic value and the international law,” he said.

Russel said the US is also concerned about the loss of lives in Dutertes’ anti-crime drive.

“We strongly support efforts against this scourge of drugs, and I explained the ways that the US can and does assist the Philippines in protecting your country against the danger from illegal drugs that flow into your country from overseas,” he said.

He has bristled at US criticisms of the more than 3,400 extrajudicial killings by police and vigilantes that have blighted his war on drugs and criminals since he took office on June 30.

Russel is on a three-nation tour through South-east Asia that also includes Thailand and Cambodia.