PH to pursue independent foreign policy

[Anjo]

Duterte: PH to pursue independent foreign policy

MANILA, Philippines – Following an international debut that saw him hounded by diplomatic issues, President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, September 10, said that the Philippines will be pursuing an "independent foreign policy" under his administration.

Duterte made the remarks upon his arrival in Davao City, after his trips to Laos for the ASEAN summit and a working visit to Indonesia.

"In our relations to the world, the Philippines will pursue an independent foreign policy. We will observe and must insist on the time-honored principle of sovereignty, sovereign equality, non-interference and the commitment of peaceful settlements of dispute that will serve our people and protect the interests of our country," Duterte said. He did not elaborate on the details.

The President has made both local and internationl headlines in recent days, after making expletive-laden comments that he later said were wrongly interpreted by media as being directed at US President Barack Obama.

While Duterte later said that he "regretted" that his comments came across as a personal attack, he slammed the US for its atrocities against Filipinos back when the Philippines was still under US colonial rule.

The President had also drawn criticism for insulting other leaders and institutions, such as the United Nations, for allegedly interfering with the Philippines' affairs, particularly in condemnation of the bloody war against drugs that has seen hundreds killed.

Speaking to the reporters in Davao, Duterte said that he now wants to be at peace with everybody.

"I do not want to pick a fight with any nation now," he said.

 

[TaiShang]

"In our relations to the world, the Philippines will pursue an independent foreign policy. We will observe and must insist on the time-honored principle of sovereignty, sovereign equality, non-interference and the commitment of peaceful settlements of dispute that will serve our people and protect the interests of our country," Duterte said.

That's a very anti-US position.

US does not like free and independent countries. Especially those that wish to be independent in their foreign relations.

 

[Anjo]

That's a very anti-US position.

US does not like free and independent countries. Especially those that wish to be independent in their foreign relations.

Somewhat true. The US as of right now has more to lose in its "pivot to Asia" movement as the Philippines plays a major part in US plans. It does not take a genius to realize that US involvement in the region continues to destabilize Ph-China relations. The ball is their court as Duterte will only do whats best for his country.

 

[Cossack25A1]

Independent Philippine foreign policy means no string attached from both USA and China.

 

[Anjo]

Independent Philippine foreign policy means no string attached from both USA and China.

I wish the Philippine media see's this as such rather than paint Duterte's foreign policy with words like anti-US or pro-China.

 

[Economic superpower]

Independent Philippine foreign policy means no string attached from both USA and China.

You just stated the obvious

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

Somewhat true. The US as of right now has more to lose in its "pivot to Asia" movement as the Philippines plays a major part in US plans. It does not take a genius to realize that US involvement in the region continues to destabilize Ph-China relations. The ball is their court as Duterte will only do whats best for his country.

The US interest in Asia since day one has always been about China. Philippines is merely a bridge to it:

Addendum: To achieve independent foreign policy Duterte need to achieve economic & military Independence 1st.

 

[gambit]

Independent Philippine foreign policy means no string attached from both USA and China.

Not possible. For China.

The real meaning of geopolitics is how geography affects politics. That mean the geographically further you are from a country, the less able the both of you to affect each other's politics, foreign and domestic. The corollary to that is the closer you are to a country, the less able you are from avoiding affecting each other's politics, foreign and domestic.

In other words, the closer you are to each other, the less likely that interactions and effects comes from choice.

Do you really believe that the more powerful China is going to leave the Philippines alone, especially when both of you are in contention for some small islands in the South China Sea, just because the current Philippines President opined that his country is going to put the US at a political distance that matches its geographical distance ?

China have no respect for the Philippines. Look at the PDF Chinese for a sample of that larger contempt. You wanted US out of the Philippines, so we left. Did you raised violence to get US to leave ? No. You just simply ordered US to leave. And we did. So you think you can get the Chinese to negotiate over the SCS just from being nice and 'independent' ? Duterte is as naive as he is rash if he thinks China will respect the Philippines just for being 'independent'.

If the Philippines keep US out, then China will move in, and the Chinese will make every possible efforts to strengthened Chinese stranglehold over the Philippines for as long as the US is out of the region. The longer that stranglehold, the greater the efforts require, especially from the Filipinos, to break it.

 

[bsruzm]

Independent Philippine foreign policy means no string attached from both USA and China.

I wish the Philippine media see's this as such rather than paint Duterte's foreign policy with words like anti-US or pro-China.

Media can easily be influenced.
What do you (two) think of Duterte?

 

[Cossack25A1]

Media can easily be influenced.
What do you (two) think of Duterte?

While I don't fully agree with Duterte in regards of his approach involving the USA and China, I agree with his plans to develop the country - change into federal system, reduce the economic restriction, tough stance against drugs and enforcement of law and order.

He does need to control his emotional outburst when talking as that is one reason I can see as to why Pres. Duterte uses derogatory words as there are ways to express your points straightly without cursing.

 

[bsruzm]

While I don't fully agree with Duterte in regards of his approach involving the USA and China, I agree with his plans to develop the country - change into federal system, reduce the economic restriction, tough stance against drugs and enforcement of law and order.

He does need to control his emotional outburst when talking as that is one reason I can see as to why Pres. Duterte uses derogatory words as there are ways to express your points straightly without cursing.

Thank you, I see great opportunities in his approach, though.

 

[Jlaw]

Independent Philippine foreign policy means no string attached from both USA and China.

that will not happen with U.S. Certain people here who believe U.S. will sell advanced weapons for them without allowing them set up bases are just plain coconuts
even with bases, the country will only receive outdated crap

 

[Anjo]

Media can easily be influenced.
What do you (two) think of Duterte?

Apart from all the sensationalized articles made about Duterte, I see him as a quite pragmatic leader. I hope the general public/media stop judging him based on feelings over facts.

that will not happen with U.S. Certain people here who believe U.S. will sell advanced weapons for them without allowing them set up bases are just plain coconuts
even with bases, the country will only receive outdated crap

On the topic of US basing in the country, they(US) were already kicked out of the country in 1991 and diplomatic relations only took a slight blip then. Weapons will be sold as long as the PH has the money to back it up. Either that or they can always source defence materiel from other countries.

 

[bsruzm]

I see him as a quite pragmatic leader.

I agree.

I hope the general public/media stop judging him based on feelings over facts.

As I said, media can be influenced by powers easily.

Either that or they can always source defence materiel from other countries.

Exactly. Thank you for your answer.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Bold move , certainly rises the value of Philippines in global Arena