Philippines sends U.S. mixed signals
China, Duterte said, was ending a Philippine foreign policy that closely leaned toward the U.S.
Ahead of his China visit, Duterte made a series of pronouncements to curb Philippine security engagements with the U.S., including the removal of American counterterrorism forces in the country’s south and his opposition to planned joint patrols with the U.S. Navy in the South China Sea. He also wanted to stop annual joint combat exercises the Philippines hosted alongside the U.S. military that China opposes.
Duterte has said he did not want to embroil the Philippines in an unwinnable war with China, which could instead be tapped as a major trading partner and source of development funds.
However, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday there had been “too many troubling public statements” by Duterte in recent months leading to uncertainty about his intent.
Duterte’s reaching out to China, which has been locked in long-standing territorial disputes with the Philippines in the South China Sea, and his severe criticisms of the U.S. has come under fire at home.
Former Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, who brought the triumphant arbitration case against China over the disputes, said Duterte’s shift from Washington to Beijing should be regarded as “a national tragedy.”