Following Donald Trump’s election as the 45th president of the United States, President Duterte appears to have warmed up once more to the country’s longtime ally.

Duterte has strained Philippine ties with the US almost to breaking point as he vilified a US ambassador and called US President Barack Obama a “son of a whore.” He vowed to end joint military drills with the US and chase out American troops from Mindanao.

But the Philippine leader appears to have changed his tune following Trump’s shock victory over Hillary Clinton.

Speaking to a group of Filipinos in Malaysia Thursday, Duterte said he no longer wants to pick a fight with the US now that Trump has won.

“Ayaw ko makipag-away kasi nandiyan na si Trump (I don’t want to start a fight now that Trump is there,” the President said, drawing applause from the audience.

“I would like to congratulate Mr. Trump. Mabuhay ka,” he added.

It was the first time Duterte had publicly addressed America’s next president.

Duterte said he and Trump share a penchant for mouthing expletives. “Pareho tayo nagmumura. Konting rason lang, mura kaagad, pare-pareho kami,” he said.

In an interview after his speech, Duterte reiterated his congratulations to Trump “and I wish he will govern the way he promised the American people.”

“I never wanted any quarrel with anybody so I wish President Trump that he will honor our obligations and treaties with the US,” he said.

Asked if the country’s relations with the US would change, Duterte said: “I really do not know. It would depend on the US.”

In a statement earlier released by Malacañang, the President said he was looking to an enhanced Philippines-US relations anchored on mutual respect under the Trump administration.

“The United States presidential election is a testament to the enduring traditions of its democratic system and the American way of life. The two-party system gives American voters freedom of choice based on party platforms, not just on personalities,” the statement read.

“President Duterte wishes President-elect Trump success in the next four years as Chief Executive and commander-in-chief of the US military, and looks forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-US relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law,” it said.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Elena L. Aben

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