Duterte: PH won't join US in any wars, unless Filipinos 'under threat'

From the Sun Star-Manila (Mar 21): Duterte: PH won't join US in any wars, unless Filipinos 'under threat'

THE United States would not receive any help from the Philippines in any of its battles, unless the Filipino people are under "direct threat," President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday, March 20.

Speaking before the Philippine National Police Academy's (PNPA) Maragtas Class of 2018, the President said he would not allow the Philippine troops to join the US army in battles, emphasizing that the Philippines gained nothing but a mere "brutality and agony" from the joint expedition.

"I am addressing America right now, whatever expeditions that you will conduct, any wars that you will fight in any other countries, count us out. We did not get anything all these years of sacrifice, except brutality and agony. We will stand on our own," Duterte told the graduates of PNPA's Maragtas Class.

"So if that's the case, unless we are threatened directly, there will be no more joint expedition, at least during my watch. Just wait until I step down," he added.

The Philippines and the US have been treaty allies since the two nations signed Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951.

On August 31, 1951, the two countries inked the treaty to bolster their defense and security cooperation.

An Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement was also signed in 2014 by the Philippines and the US to boost the allies between the two countries.

Duterte said that during his watch, the Philippines would exercise its independence, especially that the nation had been under American colonial rule.

"We will never beg for any help. Sometimes, it could mean really the dignity of the people," he said. "We have been enslaved by two countries in succession: Spaniards for 400 years and Americans for 50 years. That's enough. You have had your fill. Do not ask for more," he added.

Duterte has been critical of the US after former American President Barack Obama criticized the Philippines' anti-drug campaign. He, however, has mended ties with the most powerful nation when Donald Trump was elected president in 2016.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2018/03/21/duterte-ph-wont-join-us-any-wars-unless-filipinos-under-threat-594814