Friday, February 28, 2020

Duterte: PH can survive sans US military aid

From Panay News (Feb 28, 2020): Duterte: PH can survive sans US military aid (By Adrian Stewart Co)


President Rodrigo Roa Duterte witnesses the program proper during the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Change of Command Ceremony at the PSG Compound in MalacaƱang Park, Manila on February 25, 2020. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte said the military and police have assured him that the Philippines could boost its defense capabilities even without the assistance of the United States.

“Sila maraming mga sophisticated intelligence, gadgets. Tayo wala, mano-mano lang ito. But we are doing it. And the military and police said, ‘Sir, kaya natin,’”
President Duterte said Wednesday.

“Kasi ‘pag hindi natin kaya, we have no business being a Republic. You might as well choose. We can be a territory of the Americans or we can be a province of China. Kung hindi natin kaya, ganun lang,”
he added.

President Duterte recently ordered the termination of the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement with the US, a move that some senators planned to question before the Supreme Court over constitutional issues.

Duterte’s decision to end the VFA, which governs the conduct of visiting US personnel holding military exercises in the Philippines, stemmed from the US’ alleged interference in domestic affairs, particularly on opposition Senator Leila De Lima’s drug-related case.

The Chief Executive has protested the cancellation of the visa of his close ally Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who once oversaw the war on drugs as national police chief.

“Why would I allow the criminals to take charge of the mobility of the people at night or day na hindi sila makapasyal sa sarili nilang bayan?” Duterte said. “You might call me brutal. Alam mo naman kung hindi ako naging abogado, hindi ako naging Presidente, baka gun-for-hire rin ako, lalaban sa mga droga.”

https://www.panaynews.net/duterte-ph-can-survive-sans-us-military-aid/

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