Duterte says Philippines could join sea exercises with Japan, again vents anger at U.S.

Record ID: 83620

  • Title: Duterte says Philippines could join sea exercises with Japan, again vents anger at U.S.
  • Date: 27th October 2016
  • Summary: YOKOHAMA, JAPAN (OCTOBER 27, 2016) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English and Filipino) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT, RODRIGO DUTERTE, SAYING: "Yes, joint exercise? Yes, of course. It's like in general terms, yes, no problem." JOURNALIST ASKING: "So how about your possible visiting forcing." "That would be difficult. The Americans?" JOURNALIST ASKING: "With Japan?" "Specifically it was not discussed with the Japanese, but the western alliance, we are giving them, the Americans, because I do not want to embarrass my defence secretary but the exercises with the Americans will be the last."
  • Embargoed: 11th November 2016 09:03
  • Keywords: Rodrigo Duterte Japan Coast Guard Yokohama joint exercises U.S. China Duterte
  • Location: YOKOHAMA, JAPAN
  • City: YOKOHAMA, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00355S55QD
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday (October 27) his country could join naval exercises with Japan, but repeated there would be no more war games with long-time ally the United States and again gave vent to his anger against Washington.
    "Yes, within our territorial waters, not the sea itself, we won't have any problems. I do not think that they will stop us, I mean China will stop us, going there and making a cruise. As a matter of fact, I also told them they could go near our territorial waters and park there if they want," Duterte said, while inspecting a base of the Japan coast guard on the final day of a three-day visit to Japan in Yokohama, near Tokyo.
    The Philippine leader's visit to Japan coincides with jitters about his foreign policy after weeks of verbal attacks on the United States, including threats to end military agreements, and overtures towards China.
    Duterte last week announced in China his "separation" from the United States, but then insisted ties were not being severed and that he was merely pursuing an independent foreign policy.
    "I do not want to embarrass my defence secretary but the exercises with the Americans will be the last," Duterte reiterated on Thursday, a day after saying he also said he wanted foreign troops out of his country "maybe in the next two years."
    Duterte's recent comments pose a headache for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has tightened ties with Washington while building closer security relations with Manila and other Southeast Asian countries as a counter-weight to a rising China, which has maritime feuds with several countries in the region including Japan.
    In their Wednesday (October 26) talks, Duterte and Abe agreed on the importance of settling maritime disputes peacefully.
    Duterte said he had explained to Abe why he was angry with the United States, reiterating that Washington treated the Philippines like a "dog on a leash" and lectured them about human rights in relations to his domestic campaign against drugs.
    A scheduled call by Duterte on Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, was canceled following the death on Thursday of Akihito's 100-year-old uncle, Prince Mikasa.
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