Duterte to US: You want to retain VFA? Pay us
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TaiShang
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The next is South Korea, most likely.
Duterte domino effect?
The domino theory may be coming back to hunt the US regime.
TaiShang
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Duterte unfazed by US aid cut to Philippines
Xinhua, December 17, 2016
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he is unfazed by the decision of the United States aid agency to cut a multi-million-USD aid to the Philippines over concerns on "rule of law and civil liberties."
"We'll be glad to lose it," Duterte told reporters on Friday in Singapore before taking the flight back to the Philippines, adding that he is not bothered at all by the decision of the Millennium Challenge Corporation not to renew its grant amounting to 430 million U.S. dollars.
Duterte urged the U.S. poverty reduction aid agency to pack and leave the country.
"I also suggest that they start packing. Pact your things and leave maybe in six months or so," Duterte said. Duterte said Filipinos will not go hungry without the U.S. aid.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the aid agency said it had "deferred" a vote on the resection of the Philippines for compact development, "subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties."
Earlier, Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay slammed the U.S. for imposing conditions.
"If they would really like to help us on the basis of our need, they should give it to us without any conditions," Yasay told reporters in Singapore.
Yasay, who accompanied Duterte on a state visit to Singapore, appealed to the aid agency "to try to reconsider" its decision.
"This has always been our appeal to America. Treat us with mutual respect, and treat us as a sovereign equal," he said.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia also said he "wouldn't lose sleep" over the non-renewed aid.
The MCC is an independent aid agency created by the U.S. Congress in 2004. It supports developing countries address human rights, poverty and corruption through good governance.
Xinhua, December 17, 2016
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he is unfazed by the decision of the United States aid agency to cut a multi-million-USD aid to the Philippines over concerns on "rule of law and civil liberties."
"We'll be glad to lose it," Duterte told reporters on Friday in Singapore before taking the flight back to the Philippines, adding that he is not bothered at all by the decision of the Millennium Challenge Corporation not to renew its grant amounting to 430 million U.S. dollars.
Duterte urged the U.S. poverty reduction aid agency to pack and leave the country.
"I also suggest that they start packing. Pact your things and leave maybe in six months or so," Duterte said. Duterte said Filipinos will not go hungry without the U.S. aid.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the aid agency said it had "deferred" a vote on the resection of the Philippines for compact development, "subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties."
Earlier, Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay slammed the U.S. for imposing conditions.
"If they would really like to help us on the basis of our need, they should give it to us without any conditions," Yasay told reporters in Singapore.
Yasay, who accompanied Duterte on a state visit to Singapore, appealed to the aid agency "to try to reconsider" its decision.
"This has always been our appeal to America. Treat us with mutual respect, and treat us as a sovereign equal," he said.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia also said he "wouldn't lose sleep" over the non-renewed aid.
The MCC is an independent aid agency created by the U.S. Congress in 2004. It supports developing countries address human rights, poverty and corruption through good governance.
艹艹艹
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http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2...s-scrap-vfa-after-us-led-mcc-defers-aid-grant
Duterte threatens to scrap VFA after US-led MCC defers aid grant
By Alexis Romero(philstar.com)|Updated December 17, 2016 - 3:34pm
466googleplus00
U.S. and Philippine military officers stand at attention during the entrance of the colors at the opening ceremony of the annual joint U.S.-Philippines military exercise dubbed Balikatan 2016 (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) Monday, April 4, 2016 at Camp Aguinaldo, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines.AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, file
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to scrap the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US as he assailed Washington anew for supposedly treating Manila like “garbage.”
Duterte made the statement as he was reacting to the decision of the US-led Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) to defer a $433-million funding grant to the Philippines over “concerns around rule of law and civil liberties” under his administration.
“I understand that we have been stricken out of the Millennium Challenge, well good. I welcome it,” the president said.
“They (US) do not look at us kindly. We have this huge problem… Actually, we do not need it. We can survive without American money. But you know, America, you might also be put to notice. Prepare to leave the Philippines. Prepare for the eventual repeal or the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” he added.
Signed in 1998, the VFA allows American and Filipino troops to conduct joint trainings in Philippine soil.
The US has criticized Duterte’s brutal war on illegal drugs, which has left more than 4,000 suspected drug offenders dead. Critics said the anti-drug campaign effectively endorsed human rights violations and extrajudicial killings but Philippine officials have denied the allegation.
Angered by the criticisms on his narcotics crackdown, Duterte had said he would review all military agreements with the US and scrap joint drills that, he claimed, were only beneficial to Americans.
Duterte also declared that he would “separate” himself from the US but his subordinates explained later on that he was just stressing the need for a more independent foreign policy.
The MCC, which assesses potential recipients using indicators for economic freedom, investment of people and rule of law, deferred the giving of aid to the Philippines amid accusations that the government is setting aside due process to punish drug lords.
Duterte said the US has been treating the Philippines like a “doormat” and “garbage” and has been using aid to impose its will on Filipinos.
“Huwag naman tayong babuyin ng ganun (They should not malign us that way). We have this four million (drug addicts) and you are treated as if you are garbage or a doormat,” the president said.
The president's estimate of 4 million drug addicts is not supported by official government data.
“And the Philippines historically is like a doormat because every time that they criticize us, it’s always tied to a statement na mawala ang indiong assistant (that the aid given to its assistant will be lost). Sons of b******. You picture us as if we are patay gutom (very hungry).”
Indio is a term used to refer to Filipinos during the Spanish colonial period.
Duterte said the US should just leave the Philippines if it thinks the country is too dangerous. He also chided the US for raising human rights issues while “turning a blind eye” on the Philippines’ drug problem.
“If you think that there is crime there because we execute people…So why don’t you just leave and if you think that there is extrajudicial killing here—it’s a prevalent one, it’s a virulent practice, you know. So why are you here? What is your purpose in this Visiting Forces Agreement?
'China, Russia willing to help'
“We will never be ready to fight with China. It is you who is egging a fight there. We will never fight with Russia. That’s too far away and besides, we are friends,” he added.
Duterte also cited the US State department’s move to halt the sale of some 26,000 rifles to the Philippine National Police because of alleged human rights violations under his watch. He said the Philippines can always source firearms from other sources like Russia and China.
“Russia came forth and said ‘no problem.’ As I use the word, buy one take one. China is actually, I’ll tell you now…China has been communicating with us everyday and I think I think I’ll send the Defense secretary. They said the guns are ready,” the president said.
He claimed that the military would oust him if he asks them to obey an illegal order.
Duterte is convinced that MCC’s decision to defer the giving of aid to the Philippines was a last ditch effort of the Obama administration to undermine him.
“Somebody gave me a document that was passed on to me in Hong Kong, it says about undermining Duterte. Maybe they would agitate, well you know, and I said, God says I am a president. God says you are only President for six months, fine, I’ll go,” he said.
Duterte noted that incoming US president Donald Trump was not hostile or antagonistic to him.
“He (Trump) said that you know, I know that we have a bad fix between our two nations. I said, ‘yes sir. And I’m sorry for that, but it is not really your institutions but people there in the Washington DC,’” Duterte said.
“He was very nice, very courteous, I could not sense any hostile drift, or even the manner he was saying it … I’ll just wait. I will let Obama fade away and if he disappears then I will begin to reassess.”
Duterte was all praises though for newly-appointed US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, whom he described as “a very good ambassador” and “very courteous.”
‘China has the kindest soul’
Duterte said he does not mind losing the MCC grant because China has pledged to provide the Philippines billions in aid.
“China communicated to us. They’re giving us 50 billion. So what do I need America for?” he said.
“We are glad that we are freed from proving anything to the United States. We do not need the money. China said they will provide… we will give you the money. So, bye-bye, America and work on the protocols that would eventually move you out from the Philippines.”
While he is not inclined to forge new military alliances, Duterte said he would send soldiers to Beijing for training on Chinese weapons.
The Philippines and China are embroiled in a territorial dispute over some areas in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), where about $5 trillion in trade passes through annually. China claims about 90 percent of the area but this is being contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
In 2013, the Philippines under President Benigno Aquino III challenged the legality of China’s sweeping maritime claim, calling it “exaggerated” and “excessive.”
An arbitral tribunal in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines last July and declared that China’s claim has no legal basis. China has refused to recognize the ruling, saying it was “illegal since Day One.”
Duterte had said he would set aside the arbitral ruling “in the meantime” but maintained that he would not bargain with China on the issue.
Duterte threatens to scrap VFA after US-led MCC defers aid grant
By Alexis Romero(philstar.com)|Updated December 17, 2016 - 3:34pm
466googleplus00
U.S. and Philippine military officers stand at attention during the entrance of the colors at the opening ceremony of the annual joint U.S.-Philippines military exercise dubbed Balikatan 2016 (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) Monday, April 4, 2016 at Camp Aguinaldo, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines.AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, file
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to scrap the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US as he assailed Washington anew for supposedly treating Manila like “garbage.”
Duterte made the statement as he was reacting to the decision of the US-led Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) to defer a $433-million funding grant to the Philippines over “concerns around rule of law and civil liberties” under his administration.
“I understand that we have been stricken out of the Millennium Challenge, well good. I welcome it,” the president said.
“They (US) do not look at us kindly. We have this huge problem… Actually, we do not need it. We can survive without American money. But you know, America, you might also be put to notice. Prepare to leave the Philippines. Prepare for the eventual repeal or the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” he added.
Signed in 1998, the VFA allows American and Filipino troops to conduct joint trainings in Philippine soil.
The US has criticized Duterte’s brutal war on illegal drugs, which has left more than 4,000 suspected drug offenders dead. Critics said the anti-drug campaign effectively endorsed human rights violations and extrajudicial killings but Philippine officials have denied the allegation.
Angered by the criticisms on his narcotics crackdown, Duterte had said he would review all military agreements with the US and scrap joint drills that, he claimed, were only beneficial to Americans.
Duterte also declared that he would “separate” himself from the US but his subordinates explained later on that he was just stressing the need for a more independent foreign policy.
The MCC, which assesses potential recipients using indicators for economic freedom, investment of people and rule of law, deferred the giving of aid to the Philippines amid accusations that the government is setting aside due process to punish drug lords.
Duterte said the US has been treating the Philippines like a “doormat” and “garbage” and has been using aid to impose its will on Filipinos.
“Huwag naman tayong babuyin ng ganun (They should not malign us that way). We have this four million (drug addicts) and you are treated as if you are garbage or a doormat,” the president said.
The president's estimate of 4 million drug addicts is not supported by official government data.
“And the Philippines historically is like a doormat because every time that they criticize us, it’s always tied to a statement na mawala ang indiong assistant (that the aid given to its assistant will be lost). Sons of b******. You picture us as if we are patay gutom (very hungry).”
Indio is a term used to refer to Filipinos during the Spanish colonial period.
Duterte said the US should just leave the Philippines if it thinks the country is too dangerous. He also chided the US for raising human rights issues while “turning a blind eye” on the Philippines’ drug problem.
“If you think that there is crime there because we execute people…So why don’t you just leave and if you think that there is extrajudicial killing here—it’s a prevalent one, it’s a virulent practice, you know. So why are you here? What is your purpose in this Visiting Forces Agreement?
'China, Russia willing to help'
“We will never be ready to fight with China. It is you who is egging a fight there. We will never fight with Russia. That’s too far away and besides, we are friends,” he added.
Duterte also cited the US State department’s move to halt the sale of some 26,000 rifles to the Philippine National Police because of alleged human rights violations under his watch. He said the Philippines can always source firearms from other sources like Russia and China.
“Russia came forth and said ‘no problem.’ As I use the word, buy one take one. China is actually, I’ll tell you now…China has been communicating with us everyday and I think I think I’ll send the Defense secretary. They said the guns are ready,” the president said.
He claimed that the military would oust him if he asks them to obey an illegal order.
Duterte is convinced that MCC’s decision to defer the giving of aid to the Philippines was a last ditch effort of the Obama administration to undermine him.
“Somebody gave me a document that was passed on to me in Hong Kong, it says about undermining Duterte. Maybe they would agitate, well you know, and I said, God says I am a president. God says you are only President for six months, fine, I’ll go,” he said.
Duterte noted that incoming US president Donald Trump was not hostile or antagonistic to him.
“He (Trump) said that you know, I know that we have a bad fix between our two nations. I said, ‘yes sir. And I’m sorry for that, but it is not really your institutions but people there in the Washington DC,’” Duterte said.
“He was very nice, very courteous, I could not sense any hostile drift, or even the manner he was saying it … I’ll just wait. I will let Obama fade away and if he disappears then I will begin to reassess.”
Duterte was all praises though for newly-appointed US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, whom he described as “a very good ambassador” and “very courteous.”
‘China has the kindest soul’
Duterte said he does not mind losing the MCC grant because China has pledged to provide the Philippines billions in aid.
“China communicated to us. They’re giving us 50 billion. So what do I need America for?” he said.
“We are glad that we are freed from proving anything to the United States. We do not need the money. China said they will provide… we will give you the money. So, bye-bye, America and work on the protocols that would eventually move you out from the Philippines.”
While he is not inclined to forge new military alliances, Duterte said he would send soldiers to Beijing for training on Chinese weapons.
The Philippines and China are embroiled in a territorial dispute over some areas in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), where about $5 trillion in trade passes through annually. China claims about 90 percent of the area but this is being contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
In 2013, the Philippines under President Benigno Aquino III challenged the legality of China’s sweeping maritime claim, calling it “exaggerated” and “excessive.”
An arbitral tribunal in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines last July and declared that China’s claim has no legal basis. China has refused to recognize the ruling, saying it was “illegal since Day One.”
Duterte had said he would set aside the arbitral ruling “in the meantime” but maintained that he would not bargain with China on the issue.
ahojunk
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Duterte is more interested in the $24 billion from China rather than this measly $430 million from US.
More donations, see below. And they don't come with strings attached.
========
China donates rice seeds to Typhoon-affected Philippine farmers
2016-12-16 17:02 | Xinhua | Editor: Wang Fan
China on Friday donated 10 tons of rice seeds to Philippine farmers to rebuild their lives in the wake of the most recent typhoons in the northern Philippines.
This is the fourth time China donates rice seeds to help Philippines' typhoon victims.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, donated 10 metric tons of Longping LP 205 hybrid rice seeds to Aurora Province which was ravaged by the typhoons of Karen and Haima.
"As a country prone to typhoon-related disasters each year, China feels for our Filipino friends in Aurora and our thoughts are always with those families most affected by the tropical storms," Zhao Jianhua, Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, said at the donation ceremony.
"Please stay assured, in such difficult times, a helping hand is all that the Chinese government and people have to render," he added.
Gerardo Noveras, governor of Aurora, lauded China's prompt response after he submitted a plea for help to the Chinese Embassy.
"I thought I would have to wait for a year for the help to arrive. I never imagined it has arrived so quickly," Noveras said at the ceremony.
He pointed out that the seeds arrived just in time for plantation, adding that the timely help will meet the urgent needs of the farmers.
After the donation ceremony, agricultural experts also provided a training session for the farmers on how to cultivate the donated rice seeds.
Typhoons Haima and Karen hit the northern part of the Philippines in October, destroying houses, tearing roofs off schools and ripping giant trees out of the ground.
The cost of damage to agriculture in areas affected by Typhoon Haima has been 10.2 billion pesos (200 million U.S. dollars) with the rice sub-sector sustaining the most damage, the country's Department of Agriculture has reported.
TaiShang
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I feel for the US foreign diplomacy. China's scientific diplomacy is pushing them to further militarization, which does not offer any remedy but more problems to developing countries like the PH.
Even on the military front, the US is far from providing quality sense of security. The security the US wants to sell is very expensive as the US MIC is corrupt to the core.
ahojunk
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The bottom line is still money.
Duterte is least concerned, China has plenty of money and is helping him.
Best of all, the money comes with no strings attached.
艹艹艹
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http://m.philstar.com/314190/show/744279810e62e75e794ef8c83aeb55ac/?
Duterte to US: You want to retain VFA? Pay us
Posted on Sunday Dec 18th at 10:10pm
By Alexis Romero
MANILA, Philippines — Hours after threatening to scrap the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US, President Rodrigo Duterte imposed one condition to Washington if it wants the deal retained.
“You want to come back here? You pay us. You want bases here? Pay us. Transaction tayo, pera-pera na lang tayo, mabuti pa (Let’s enter into a transaction. Let’s make it all about money. We would be better off like that),” Duterte said in a speech delivered in General Santos Saturday night.
RELATED: US to work with Duterte despite threat to scrap VFA
“There are no wars right now, why would I allow you here? You want to create World War III? If you do that, if all the nuclear explosives are really (used), this planet won’t be around tomorrow. It’s the end for all of us, so why would be pick up a fight with anybody?”
The 1987 Constitution prohibits the establishment of foreign military bases in the country “except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum.”
The charter also states that the other contracting state should also recognize the agreement as a treaty.
“According to the Supreme Court, the VFA is a, Visiting Forces Agreement is an executive agreement, hindi, hindi (not a) treaty. So, start packing your things. Start packing your things and get out of my country,” Duterte said.
The VFA, which was signed in 1998, is a bilateral agreement that allows Filipino and American soldiers to conduct joint trainings in Philippine soil. It was ratified by the Senate in 1999 despite protests by militant groups who believe it would undermine Philippine sovereignty.
Duterte mocked US troopers, who, he claimed, demand air-conditioned tents, ham and eggs upon their return to their camps. He said Filipino troopers are ready to perform their duty even without the perks given to their American counterparts.
“Pilipino? Walay mag-utos, labayan mo karne norte ah, diretso na (Filipinos? Just give them corned beef and they are ready to go),” the president said.
“They do not have air-conditioned tents but they are more durable, more brave. I tell you, do not teach us about warfare, we have the longest insurgency problem here.”
On Saturday, Duterte threatened to abrogate the VFA after the US-led Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) had deferred a $433 million aid to the Philippines over “concerns around rule of law and civil liberties” under his administration.
The US has been critical of Duterte’s bloody war on illegal drugs and has asked the government to ensure that human rights are respected in all law enforcement operations.
Duterte, however, was angered by the statement and accused the US of interfering with the Philippines’ internal issues. He also claimed that the US has been picking on him on human rights despite its failure to acknowledge the atrocities it committed during the Philippine-American War.
Duterte reiterated that the Philippines can survive without US aid and even asked the MCC to “swallow its assistance.”
“Do not do that to us. Me, I’m just standing for the dignity of the Filipino people,” he said.
“You complain to us but do not take away (the aid). Eat your aid, swallow your assistance.”
Duterte to US: You want to retain VFA? Pay us
Posted on Sunday Dec 18th at 10:10pm
By Alexis Romero
MANILA, Philippines — Hours after threatening to scrap the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US, President Rodrigo Duterte imposed one condition to Washington if it wants the deal retained.
“You want to come back here? You pay us. You want bases here? Pay us. Transaction tayo, pera-pera na lang tayo, mabuti pa (Let’s enter into a transaction. Let’s make it all about money. We would be better off like that),” Duterte said in a speech delivered in General Santos Saturday night.
RELATED: US to work with Duterte despite threat to scrap VFA
“There are no wars right now, why would I allow you here? You want to create World War III? If you do that, if all the nuclear explosives are really (used), this planet won’t be around tomorrow. It’s the end for all of us, so why would be pick up a fight with anybody?”
The 1987 Constitution prohibits the establishment of foreign military bases in the country “except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum.”
The charter also states that the other contracting state should also recognize the agreement as a treaty.
“According to the Supreme Court, the VFA is a, Visiting Forces Agreement is an executive agreement, hindi, hindi (not a) treaty. So, start packing your things. Start packing your things and get out of my country,” Duterte said.
The VFA, which was signed in 1998, is a bilateral agreement that allows Filipino and American soldiers to conduct joint trainings in Philippine soil. It was ratified by the Senate in 1999 despite protests by militant groups who believe it would undermine Philippine sovereignty.
Duterte mocked US troopers, who, he claimed, demand air-conditioned tents, ham and eggs upon their return to their camps. He said Filipino troopers are ready to perform their duty even without the perks given to their American counterparts.
“Pilipino? Walay mag-utos, labayan mo karne norte ah, diretso na (Filipinos? Just give them corned beef and they are ready to go),” the president said.
“They do not have air-conditioned tents but they are more durable, more brave. I tell you, do not teach us about warfare, we have the longest insurgency problem here.”
On Saturday, Duterte threatened to abrogate the VFA after the US-led Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) had deferred a $433 million aid to the Philippines over “concerns around rule of law and civil liberties” under his administration.
The US has been critical of Duterte’s bloody war on illegal drugs and has asked the government to ensure that human rights are respected in all law enforcement operations.
Duterte, however, was angered by the statement and accused the US of interfering with the Philippines’ internal issues. He also claimed that the US has been picking on him on human rights despite its failure to acknowledge the atrocities it committed during the Philippine-American War.
Duterte reiterated that the Philippines can survive without US aid and even asked the MCC to “swallow its assistance.”
“Do not do that to us. Me, I’m just standing for the dignity of the Filipino people,” he said.
“You complain to us but do not take away (the aid). Eat your aid, swallow your assistance.”
Last edited:
samsara
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The smart Pinoy is trying to monetize every asset, can't really blame him since PHI is in poor conditions, every chunk of cash will be helpful.
Time for the US to talk with the real amount of dollar pile-up... and what's the problem? After all Uncle just needs to run the printing machine few extra hours or days to make up the amount (in literal sense) though in real just some keystrokes away for the digital BS in bank, the advantage of owning the WRC status... just print more!
Time for the US to talk with the real amount of dollar pile-up... and what's the problem? After all Uncle just needs to run the printing machine few extra hours or days to make up the amount (in literal sense) though in real just some keystrokes away for the digital BS in bank, the advantage of owning the WRC status... just print more!
please send the message across... they are not welcome
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