PRRD admits being on a ‘tightrope’, avoiding conflict with China

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte admitted on Friday that he is on a “tightrope” as he could not afford to provoke China, which he considers as a “friend”.

Duterte made the admission, as he emphasized the need to maintain the Philippines’ improved ties with China.

“I am walking on a tightrope actually. I cannot afford to be brave in the mouth against China because we are avoiding any confrontation, a confrontation that would lead to something which we can hardly avoid. At least not at this time,” he said in a speech delivered before his troops in Clark Air Base in Pampanga and to inspect newly-delivered air assets.

Duterte’s statement came following the Philippines’ refusal to join last year’s naval drills in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) with the United States and other allied countries.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Thursday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana defended the Philippines’ decision to skip the naval drills in the South China Sea, saying Filipino troops lacked the assets to “match” China’s activities in the contested waters.

On July 12, 2016, the Philippines won the arbitration case it filed against China after the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that Beijing has “no legal basis” to claim historic rights over almost the entire South China Sea.

The Philippines, however, has decided to resolve the sea disputes with China through a peaceful and diplomatic approach due to Beijing’s refusal to accept the PCA ruling.

‘Friend’ with China, US

Duterte clarified that while he is avoiding possible tension with China, he is “not allied with anybody”.

He said he considers both China and the US as “friends”.

“Kaibigan ako ng America. Kaibigan ako ng China (America is my friend. China is my friend),” Duterte said. “I am not against the Chinese, neither the American. Ewan ko. hindi ako pro-American (I don’t know but I am not a pro-American). I am just a Filipino government worker working for the interest of my country.”

Duterte likewise said he would not participate in any war, as it would only be disadvantageous to the Philippines.

“Do not be surprised. I am not allied with anybody. I am allied – iaaalay ko ang buhay ko pati ang ally ko ang Pilipinas. Nobody else. Yun ang tandaan niyo. (I will offer my life to the Philippines which I consider as my ally, nobody else. Remember that),” he said.

US needs to ‘pay’ for VFA continuation

There have also been calls for Duterte to renegotiate the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.

Duterte, however, said the US has to “pay” first before he reconsiders his decision to scrap the VFA.

The US should give the Philippines something in return, especially since the latter is the “nearest, possible and convenient outpost,” Duterte said.

“You want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? Well, you have to pay. It’s a shared responsibility. But your share of responsibility does not come free because after all when the war breaks out, we all pay. We’re nearest to the garrison there, a lot of arsenals of the Chinese armed forces… I hope that the Americans would take notice of that.” he said.

His statement came amid the uncertain status of VFA, a 1998 military pact between Manila and Washington that authorizes American troops participating in joint military drills to visit the Philippines without passport and visa.

The Philippines formally notified the US about its intent to revoke the VFA in February 2020.

However, the VFA remains in effect after Duterte ordered on June 1 last year the suspension of VFA termination “in light of political and other developments in the region”.