Philippine President Duterte rejects US dominance on country: Analyst
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says Manila would no longer sign the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States to give American military rotational access to five bases in the south Asian country. The pact was signed in 2014 to counter China’s presence in the South China Sea, but President Duterte now says he cannot accept further US military presence in his country.
Stephen Lendman, author and radio host from Chicago, told Press TV that President Duterte “does not want America to dominate Philippines’ policies.”
Lenman said, “According to 1987 Philippine Constitution, no foreign troops can be based on the Philippines, but there was a 1991 Senate ruling that said foreign troops, including American troops, can come to the Philippines to join military exercises, and Duterte apparently wants this revoked.”
Praising the Philippine president for his idea of separation from the United States, the analyst noted, “He (President Duterte) is the only one in Asia, who really is challenging America this way.”
He added that the Philippine president is well aware that his opposition to the US military dominance on his country may cause him several “problems including America maybe try to assassinate him to eliminate him.”
Lendman touched upon President Duterte’s future stance on the US, saying, “He’ll probably stick more or less to what he’s doing, but yield a little bit and try not to sound so hardline to protect himself, to have relations with Washington continue, but also give him the freedom to run the Philippines without US interference.”
During a visit to China last week, President Duterte announced his country’s separation from the US. However, a day later, Duterte walked back slightly from the statement, saying he did not mean total “separation” from Washington.
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