The US should accommodate that 'more action'. Weapons purchase from China does not mean the Filipinos like China.
China do not need the Philippines' compliance to further secure the SCS. A weakened Philippines will do just fine and it already that weakened. So if the US begins our withdrawal from the Philippines, as the country's economic conditions deteriorate, the Filipinos will turn against Duterte. Once Duterte is ousted, and only after bloodshed because people like him, re Venezuela, once they have a taste of power, they will do everything they can to keep it, the US can return with the typical 'I told you so.'
Im skeptical to say the least. I think he has built himself a personality cult at this point, I'd be amazed if he actually left office at what was supposed to be the end of his term. If things get worse for the Philippines, even without the US doing anything, he will simply lash out at the US and become more popular for it. That said I don't have a view on the inside. All I see is Duterte and his support despite these moves, and work off of that.
I thought that Filipinos wanted to be friendly with the US, but I'm not so sure now. Tangible action has backed their insults now, there isn't much more to do but to cut it off when we are in the best position to be able to, otherwise it will be cut off for us when we aren't prepared.
He didn't ask for it, he was referencing the efforts of past administrations to get modern weaponry that never went anywhere. For example, there was an attempt in the late 90s to acquire fighters from Israel that got blocked by US congress (because of American technology in the fighters) because the US Gov't wanted to sell them embargoed Pakistani F-16s instead. Then that also didn't work out and the Philippines was left with its worn-out F-5As (not even Es) until they had to be grounded in 2003.
I'm pro-US and a naturalized American, but I could see (and dread) a realignment from a mile way. It's disappointing to say the least.
This has got to be the worst thing to see for Filipino-Americans, I wish you guys didn't have to go through this.
But we can't do anything about it, its coming one sidedly from Duterte, and he has the public support for it, all we can do is respond to best protect American interests.
You talk horse, dude, it's the USA needs the Philippines, for the wot pivot purpose. Duterte is smart, he knows clearly at the time what the America seek to beg from his country.
Nah, the Philippines isn't critical to US power projection, though it does make it easier. We operated for a decade without bases in the Philippines, and we have overseas logistics down to an art.
We'd like to have the Philippines on board, but if they are turning away themselves there's not much we can do. Its clear Duterte isn't actually looking to be neutral. I suppose he views the economic benefits to outweigh what will be the territorial losses, but the territory change will be permanent, the economic benefits temporary.
Why he thinks its a sound tradeoff is beyond me, but now that tangible action has been taken, I'm convinced that Duterte is serious, so again we can only respond in a way that best protects our interests.
Less talk, more action?
You're quoting a national leader- not a small time politician. If he had the guts to flip the bird at the EU and the US on TV, as well as sanctioning the deaths of thousands of drug offenders/pushers- u think he would not stick to his words?
And guess what? I just found out this myself:
http://www.cninfo360.com/sjdt/20160121/410279.html
罗德里戈•迪泰特简介 菲律宾总统竞选人:祖父是中国人 无意与中国开战(图)
= Grandfather is a Chinese(Duterte's)
他补充道,自己的祖父是中国人,他不想跟中国开战,因为在福建的表亲不想战争。
=
'he stressed that his own grandfather was a mainland Chinese(likely a Chinese immigrant to the PH, like the rest of the Chinese diaspora) and do not wish to get involved in a war with China. That's because his relatives in Fujian(province) do not want war(with Duterte).'
This makes Duterte a part-Overseas Chinese himself.
No wonder he's pro-China
No, you are correct, he has taken tangible action now, so he is serious. We should respond in a way befitting how serious it is. Its only a matter of time before the MDT ends, we should end it on the best terms for us.