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US warns that Duterte’s rhetoric is sparking concern worldwide

MANILA — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s fiery rhetoric against Washington and uncertainties over Manila’s foreign policy intentions have sparked distress in the United States and other countries, said America’s top diplomat for Asia on Monday (Oct 24).

US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel talks to members of the press after a meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay (not pictured) at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Manila on October 24, 2016. Photo: AFP

US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel talks to members of the press after a meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay (not pictured) at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Manila on October 24, 2016. Photo: AFP

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MANILA — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s fiery rhetoric against Washington and uncertainties over Manila’s foreign policy intentions have sparked distress in the United States and other countries, said America’s top diplomat for Asia on Monday (Oct 24).

Speaking in Manila while on an official visit, Mr Daniel Russel however assured Philippines that Washington remained its “trusted” ally and supported direct dialogue and negotiations between Manila and Beijing.

“So it is a mistake to think that improved relations between Manila and Beijing somehow come at the expense of the US,” said Mr Russel, who is US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

“We don’t want countries to have to choose between the US and China.”

Mr Russel is the first high-level visitor from Washington after Mr Duterte provoked alarm last week by announcing his country’s “separation” from its American treaty ally and realignment with China while on a visit to Beijing.

Upon returning home the day after his stunning remarks, Mr Duterte said he did not mean he was severing diplomatic ties with Washington but only wanted to end a foreign policy that’s overly oriented toward the US.

Mr Russel, who spoke to reporters after meeting Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay on Monday, noted that while Mr Duterte “has already walked back” from his separation remark, many people around the world were becoming increasingly worried about the Filipino president’s repeated tirades.

“The succession of controversial statements, comments and a real climate of uncertainty about the Philippines’ intentions have created consternation in a number of countries,” Mr Russel said.

“Not only in mine and not only among governments, but also growing concern in other communities, in the expat Filipino community, in corporate boardrooms as well. This is not a positive trend.”

Mr Yasay later told reporters that Mr Russel “did not express concern in the manner you’re suggesting, or that he is worried. He wanted clarification, and I clarified” Mr Duterte’s stand.

Mr Duterte has frequently voiced deep anger at American criticism of his efforts to eliminate drugs in society, repeatedly branding US President Barack Obama as a “son of a bxxxh” and telling him to “go to hell”. Mr Duterte has unleashed similarly harsh remarks against the European Union and the United Nations while also displaying open antagonism toward the US, declaring his desire to scale back military engagements with the ally.

The Filipino leader, however, has not formalised his public declarations to remove US counterterrorism forces from the volatile southern Philippines and stop large-scale joint exercises involving American forces, creating confusion among even his Cabinet officials.

Mr Russel said he also directly conveyed to Mr Yasay during their meeting the US’ concerns about Mr Duterte’s war on crime, which has claimed about 3,700 lives in less than four months, amid fears of mass extrajudicial killings.

Coinciding with Mr Russel’s visit, the Philippines on Monday accepted a second-hand American C-130 transport plane at a handover ceremony in Manila. It was part of Washington’s effort to help modernise the underfunded Philippine military, which has struggled to deal with Muslim and communist insurgencies and natural disasters.

“This will certainly boost our air transport facilities. The importance of this aircraft cannot be over-emphasised,” Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said at the ceremony.

The plane was the second delivered this year under an agreement in which the Philippines buys surplus American military hardware.

US Ambassador Philip Goldberg said at the turnover ceremony that the US was trying to clarify Mr Duterte’s remarks in relation to existing policies, including their impact on planned joint military exercises. Despite the concerns, Mr Goldberg said the US rebalance to Asia would proceed.

“It’s a historical relationship, it has its ups and downs,” Mr Goldberg told reporters. While he remains optimistic, Mr Goldberg said “some of the language we’ve heard is inconsistent with that friendship.”

Mr Russel’s trip to Manila is part of a three-nation swing through South-east Asia that also includes Thailand and Cambodia, the US State Department announced on its website. AGENCIES

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