Philippines' Duterte tells U.S. to forget about defence deal "if I stay longer"

Record ID: 83956

  • Title: Philippines' Duterte tells U.S. to forget about defence deal "if I stay longer"
  • Date: 25th October 2016
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (OCTOBER 25, 2016) (REUTERS) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE WALKING DUTERTE SPEAKING FROM BEHIND PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT, RODRIGO DUTERTE, SAYING: "If I stay here long enough, one day that EDCA (Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement) will, if it's an executive agreement, then I will just... I do not want to see any military man of any other nation except the Philippine soldier." DUTERTE SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English/Filipino) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT, RODRIGO DUTERTE, SAYING: "Every time they said we will cut our assistance, I tell them, you 'son of a bitch', don't treat us like dogs. Do not, you know, as if you, I am a dog with a leash. Then, you throw the pan far away where I can't reach it." DUTERTE LISTENING TO QUESTIONS (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT, RODRIGO DUTERTE, SAYING: "We will discuss among others greater political, social and defence cooperation, particularly in maritime domain awareness and maritime security. With Japan as the Philippines' top trading partner, I shall seek the sustainment and further enhancement of our important economic ties." DUTERTE LEAVING PODIUM DUTERTE WALKING, SALUTING MILITARY OFFICIAL DUTERTE ENTERING WALKWAY LEADING TO PLANE
  • Embargoed: 9th November 2016 06:17
  • Keywords: Philippines troops military foreign troops security Japan U.S. Duterte defence
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00155I5CG7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hit out at the United States on Tuesday (October 25), saying he did not start a fight with Washington and it could forget about a military agreement between both countries if he were to be in power longer.
    Duterte said he was against the presence of any foreign troops in his country and the United States could "forget" an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the Philippines, if he stayed longer, without elaborating.
    "I do not want to see any military man of any other nation except the Philippine soldier," he told journalists in Manila before heading to Japan for a three-day visit.
    The EDCA, signed two years ago, expanded the Mutual Defence treaty with the United States, allowing more American troops and prepositioning of supplies in Philippine bases.
    The United States, he said, should not treat the Philippines "like a dog with a leash", adding to confusion about the future the long-time allies' ties.
    Duterte's most recent tirade against the U.S. was in contrast with an earlier reconciliatory remark where he said he was not "separating" with Washington.
    Duterte jolted the region last week on a trip to China when he announced a realignment toward Beijing, the latest in a series of outbursts against the United States.
    Duterte and his aides later tried to clarify that he did not mean he was cutting ties with Washington and was only charting for an independent foreign policy.
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