Duterte scores US over PH’s planned Russian submarine deal

President Duterte has assailed the United States (US) anew for discouraging the Philippines from buying submarines from Russia and vowed to ask President Donald Trump the reason behind the warning.

Duterte issued the statement after US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver said the Philippines should think carefully about its plans to buy submarines from Russia.

“I think they should think very carefully about that. If they would have to proceed purchasing major Russian equipment, I don’t think that is a helpful thing to the alliance and ultimately I think we can be a better partner than the Russians can be to the Philippine people,” Schriver said.

Schriver’s statement did not sit well with Duterte. In a speech in Davao City, the President said that is not how a nation should treat its ally.

“There's a newspaper, in [Manila] Bulletin, you're warning us. Who are you to warn us? Is that how you want to treat an ally? And you want us to stay with you all the time?” he asked.

“America because of Trump, he's so good to me, I will ask them – Mr. President, what's wrong in... if I get to see him, he's been inviting me to go to America,” he added.

Duterte also said the United States government should explain why it is against the idea of the Philippines acquiring military hardware from Russia.

“You meet me in a forum. You state your case why you are against my country acquiring submarine. You give me the reason and make it public. You want us to remain backwards?”

The President also criticized the US for selling to the Philippines refurbished helicopters which imploded. He said this is one reason he is not keen on getting submarines from the US.

“Kayo 'yung magbigay ng submarino? Mag-iimplode 'yun (You'll give us the submarines? They will implode)... Just like the helicopters you sold us. Did you investigate it… that three of four of them crashed already?” Duterte asked.

He said he also wants to ask why is the US only stopping the Philippines but is fine with other countries buying from Russia.

“Think about it? Why did you not stop other countries [in] Asia? Bakit kami pinipigilan ninyo (Why are you stopping us)?” Duterte asked.

“What's the problem about acquiring submarines? We are not using [it] against you, neither can we use it against China or anybody else because we are under armed,” he added.

Duterte also reiterated that the US has never given the Philippines anything for free, unlike Japan and South Korea.

“Wala naman binibigay sa atin (They are not giving us anything), and mind you, lahat ng kinukuha natin sa kanila... bayad iyan (all that we've acquired from them, all of those are paid),” he said.

Duterte then reiterated the US's Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA's) alleged plan to assassinate him.

“Iyang mga CIA ngayon, balita ko gusto nila akong patayin (The CIA, I heard, they want to kill me). Go ahead. After all, this country will go the way it is,” he said.

“Kaya 'pag pumutok iyang helicopter ko diyan, sila iyan (So when my helicopter explodes, it's them),” he added.