President Duterte has pledged to keep the country’s friendly relations with the United States “as is” under President-elect Donald Trump, citing they both share the passion to serve the people.

“We are friends with (the United States), an ally,” the President said in a press conference in Davao City, when asked about the country’s ties with the US under the new Trump administration.

“We have an RP-US military pact that was 1954, I think, vintage. That would bind us in the matter of saying whether or not you side with this or that,” Duterte added.

The President said the country would honor existing cooperation agreements with the United States, adding it does not foresee “any war in the next 100 years.”

“We will maintain our cooperation… The respect should be there and in all matters that would affect our two countries, especially the treaties that we signed, with them, in the so many agreements. It will be honored, all of these things,” he added.

The President, however, seeks to lessen the Philippine military’s dependence on outdated “hand-me-down” equipment and skills training that only benefit the US, saying that Filipino soldiers do not need training or second-rate equipment anyway since they are “warriors capable of conventional war.”

He also confirmed that the next round of the country’s joint military exercises with the United States would be the last.

The President explained that he agreed to push ahead with the upcoming Philippines-US military exercises because they were already agreed upon early on.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said the military drills between the Filipino and American troops would push through next year but will be scaled down and less combat-focused.

“I talked to the secretary of National Defense, they were, na-firm-up na nila ang arrangement and I said I do not want na mapahiya ang Pilipinas,” the President said.

“I was already vocal against it but in deference to the secretary of Defense, sabi ko, ‘O sige but this will be the last time,’” said Duterte.

Duterte reiterated that he no longer wants to see any more foreign troops in the country “by the time I end my term.” Previously, Duterte claimed he wants American troops out of the country in two years.

Duterte earlier tried to bury the hatchet with the US after Trump’s stunning victory against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the bitter race to the White House. He congratulated Trump on his election and looked forward to enhanced relations between the two countries.

The President, however, tried to downplay the comparison between him and Trump, saying he was just a “small molecule in this planet” compared to the leader of the world’s most powerful country.

“I am just a President struggling to barely (keeping head) just above the water,” Duterte said. “But what we share in common, maybe, is the passion to serve and it is a given,” he added.

He said public servants are expected “to push more for the country” even though they get “tired” and “despondent” at times.

Many groups have observed the striking similarities between Duterte and Trump as both tough-talking leaders who won the presidency on anti-establishment platform.  Duterte earlier said he does not want to pick a fight with Trump, admitting that they share a common trait of hurling curses in public speeches.

Tags: Donald Trump, Manila Bulletin, mb.com.ph, News today, Philippine news, Philippines, President Duterte, RP-US military pact, Status quo on ‘friendly’ PH-US relations stays – Duterte, United States

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn D. Kabiling

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]