Amid intel report, PH-US alliance remain: US embassy

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 23): Amid intel report, PH-US alliance remain: US embassy

Amid a United States Intelligence report that tagged President Rodrigo R. Duterte as among the threats to democracy and human rights in Southeast Asia, the US Embassy in Manila clarified that the report merely provided overview and assessment of conditions in all regions, and added the two countries remain "friends, partners, and allies".

"The Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, produced by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, is an annual report that provides an analytical assessment of conditions in each of the world's various regions," the embassy’s press attaché, Molly Koscina, said in a statement.

"The report noted that the Philippines is likely to continue its campaign against illicit drugs, corruption, and crime, while taking note of internal discussions on charter change and the extension of martial law in Mindanao through 2018," she explained.

She pointed out that the United States and the Philippines are "longstanding friends, partners, and allies".

"We have a range of shared interests and continue to work with the Government of the Philippines and look forward to expanding our relationship across numerous fields, from defense cooperation to development aid, over the coming year," she said.

As the United States is committed to the rule of law and respect for human rights, Koscina said the US also reiterates calls on other governments to do the same.

The report, dated Feb. 13, claimed democracy and human rights in many Southeast Asian countries "will remain fragile" in 2018 over autocratic tendencies in some regimes.

In the Philippines, it assessed that the chief executive will continue the campaign against illegal drugs, corruption, and crime.

It also drew particular attention to Duterte's recent pronouncements that he could declare a nationwide martial law, and declare a revolutionary government, which was earlier recalled by the chief executive himself.

"In the Philippines, President Duterte will continue to wage his signature campaign against drugs, corruption, and crime. Duterte has suggested he could suspend the Constitution, declare a 'revolutionary government', and impose nationwide martial law," the US Intelligence Community said in the report.

"His declaration of martial law in Mindanao, responding to the ISIS-inspired siege of Marawi City, has been extended through the end of 2018," it added.

On Thursday, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a diplomatic protest against the US, saying this reflects meddling in the country's domestic affairs.

The DFA has not yet given a statement.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1026260