PRRD: PH and US are still best friends

FILE: President Rodrigo Duterte (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

After back-and-forth criticisms between President Rodrigo Duterte and the United States of America (USA), the President assured on Tuesday that the two countries are still ‘best friends.’

“We remain to be the best of friends with America,” the Chief Executive said in his speech during the 67^th anniversary of the Philippine Marine Corps.

Duterte was discussing that the Philippines should be ready for terrorism, and that part of this preparation is to purchase firearms. He had an order in the U.S, which was blocked by its Congress.

“Let me state it publicly here and now, wala akong problema sa (I have no problems with) America. But you know in America, it is no – it cannot be trusted with this kind of things,” Duterte said.

“Magbili sana tayo ng 23 000 M4s. Totoo ‘yung 5.56 but nabara sa US Congress (We were supposed to buy 23 000 M4s. 5.56 is real but it was blocked by the US Congress),” he added.

Apparently, Duterte was saying that though US President Donald Trump has enormous powers, the US ‘Congress almost seems to have parity in the powers.’ The firearms order was stalled because of the US Congress’ view of the Philippines’ human rights conditions.

He was, however, thankful that other countries came to aid like China, Russia, and Israel.

According to Duterte, “Most of you, pagkatapos niyan or some of you went to schooling in America, and I do not blame you if your sentiments are really remain with the power who helped us for the longest time.”

However, the President said that there are changes in the geopolitics situations that the country must adapt to. He specifically mentioned the North Korea tension.

“I just hope that Korea would have the – the sense – and to avoid it. Because you know, whether we like it or not, we remain to be friends, courteous,” he said.

It can be recalled that during Duterte’s visit to Beijing in 2016, he ‘broke’ ties with the US economically and militarily. He was also angered when the Obama administration condemned the killings of his drug war.

Trump has not openly criticized the Philippine President though – he even praised the drug war and said that ‘the previous administration’ did not understand its significance.

A White House official also confirmed that Trump was ‘very much looking forward’ to his first meeting with Duterte. The two presidents have exchanged phone calls and letters which the White House official described as a ‘warm rapport’ between the two.

(Read: White House: Duterte, Trump have ‘warm rapport’)

Both presidents are set to meet for the first time on Wednesday in a welcome dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Vietnam.