Duterte again trashes US criticism of his anti-drug war

TOKYO — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte continued his rant against the United States after arriving in Japan for an official visit Tuesday (Oct 25), calling Washington a “bully” for chastising him over his bloody war on drugs.

“The Americans are really a bully,” Duterte told a large gathering of Filipinos living in Japan, while reiterating that he intends to chart “an independent foreign policy” for the Philippines.

He called it “demeaning” for Washington to hint at slashing aid and assistance to his country on human rights grounds, and said, “You can have it. It’s all yours. We will survive.”

The populist leader, who is on a three-day visit to Japan, also said he is willing to be imprisoned in the future over his crackdown on drug sellers and addicts, which critics say has led to hundreds, if not thousands, of extrajudicial killings.

“If you have the evidence, go ahead and file the case,” he said. “I can rot in prison for my country.”

The “naked truth”, he said, is that the Philippines was becoming a nation of drug addicts, with 4 million of them spread out all over the country, and “I have to do something.”

“What am I supposed to do with 4 million?” he asked.

Mr Duterte said “progressive” countries in the West have no right to “chastise” and “reprimand” him for simply doing what is necessary to protect future generations of Filipinos.

“Do not **** with our dignity,” he declared. “I carry the burden of sovereignty.”

Mr Duterte’s latest anti-US remarks came after he announced during a visit to China last week his “separation” from the United States in the military and economic spheres, while suggesting his country would be much better off aligning itself with China and Russia.

Philippine officials later downplayed those remarks.

Earlier Tuesday, ahead of his departure for Tokyo, Mr Duterte dropped a hint of wanting to scrap the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement signed by the two security treaty allies in 2014, one which grants US forces greater access to Philippine military facilities.

“Well, forget it. If I stay here long enough, one day that EDCA will...,” he said, stopping short of saying more but making head movements from left to right as if to say no more.

“I do not want to see any military man of any other nation except the Philippine soldiers. That is all I want. That is the short of it. I want an independent policy where I do not have to obey just anyone,” he added.

Over the weekend, US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said Mr Duterte’s anti-US rhetoric has “created consternation” in many countries and there is now “a real climate of uncertainty about the Philippines’ intentions”.

Mr Russel, who was in Manila for talks with senior Philippine officials, said that while the United States respects the Philippines’ sovereignty and independence, it is “concerned about the high loss of life in connection with the counter-narcotics campaign” and about lack of due process.

He said the United States “remains a steady and trusted partner, and strong ally” of the Philippines and intends to meet its security commitments under their 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty. KYODO NEWS