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President Rodrigo Duterte's credibility and US-Philippines relations in question
By Lindsay Murdoch
Manila: He is the popular president of a nation of 100 million people that for decades has been a key ally in an American-led alliance seeking to counter an increasingly assertive China.
But can you believe a word Rodrigo Duterte says?
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte scratches his head as he addresses marines in Taguig, east of Manila, on Tuesday.Credit: AP
In his latest speech, on Thursday to a crowd in Hanoi, Vietnam, the 71-year-old president declared that upcoming US-Philippine military exercises would be "the last" and ruled out any further joint patrols.
"I am serving notice now to the Americans, this will be the last military exercise… jointly Philippines-US: the last one," declared the Philippine military's commander in-chief.
Philippine marines during President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to their headquarters on Tuesday.Credit: AP
Reuters reported the comments had plunged the Philippines' alliance with Washington into deep uncertainty and was the strongest sign yet of fissures in an historic alliance that the US has relied on to cement its influence in Asia.
But moments later Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yaso declared that Mr Duterte had not said such a thing.
"No, no, no, he did not say that at all," Mr Yasay said when pressed by reporters, arguing the president was referring only to joint patrols in disputed waters of the South China Sea.
Since being swept into office at elections in May pledging to wipe out illicit drugs and crime within months, Mr Duterte has made brash and tempestuous comments that have sent his key officials scurrying to either deny or walk away from.
From left: South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Laos' Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte link arms during the ASEAN summit earlier this month.Credit: AP
Mr Duterte declared that US forces in Mindanao "have to go…there are too many whites there."
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana later clarified that they were still needed.
Mr Duterte declared it may be a good idea to separate from the United Nations, given the world body was criticising his deadly crackdown on drugs.
Mr Yasay later clarified that "I can assure you he remains committed to the United Nations, of which the Philippines is one of the founding members, and to the purposes and objectives of what this august body stands for."
Mr Duterte referred to US President Barack Obama as "the son of a whore" before a world leader's summit in Laos but later said he was not referring to the world's most powerful man.
A rash of anti-American outbursts have prompted clarifications in both Manila and Washington.
Announcing plans to visit China and Russia, Mr Duterte said last Monday that "I'm about to cross the Rubicon between me and the United States, at least for six years."
Earlier Mr Duterte had said he wants to buy arms from the two countries despite the fact the US rotates military equipment and personnel through Philippine bases and has been Manila's largest arms supplier for more than 60 years.
US State Department spokesman Mark Tonner responded by saying "we believe that we can remain a close friend and partner with the Philippines".
"It's one of our most enduring bilateral relationships within the Asia-Pacific region and it's been a cornerstone of stability for 70 years," he said.
"And we're going to keep up that cooperation until we hear otherwise."
But questions are being asked in Washington about the reliability of Mr Duterte, the former mayor of southern Davao city who is known as "The Punisher".
Senator Patrick Leahy, the powerful former chairman of the US Senate foreign relations committee, has asked for a review of US assistance to Philippine forces.