Duterte to boost economic ties with China, Russia

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte is set to strengthen economic ties with China and Russia, saying yesterday he is about “to cross the Rubicon” with the United States over killings linked to his all-out war against illegal drugs in the Philippines.

Duterte’s bloody fight against illegal drugs in the country has reaped criticism from western governments and human rights groups.

Economic analysts pointed to his ensuing outbursts against the US and the United Nations as possible reasons for the local stock market’s extended decline yesterday.

“Global funds sold Philippine stocks for the 23rd straight day amid nervousness about the fallout from Duterte’s anti-drug war and his outbursts against the US and the United Nations,” Bloomberg reported.

In a speech during the oath-taking rites of the Malacañang Press Corps, Presidential Photojournalist Association and the Malacañang Cameramen Association, the President said he had suggested closer economic ties with Russia to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane, Laos earlier this month.

“I told him (Medvedev)… I am about to cross the Rubicon with the United States,” Duterte related, adding he had plans to begin talks on trade and commerce with countries reputed to be less than friendly with the US.

The Chief Executive said he also intends to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping about inviting Chinese businessmen to invest in the Philippines.

Specifically, Duterte said he would invite Chinese and Russian airlines to come over and do business in the Philippines to force local carriers, especially on domestic routes, to shape up and give more efficient service to the public – or go bankrupt.

Addressing local airlines, he said: “You go bankrupt? I do not care. I’m going to invite China and Russia to put up their airlines here. All of you, big businesses in public service: observe humanity.”

Duterte, however, stressed in a press briefing following the media induction rites that he is not totally breaking ties with the US even as he strengthens ties with China and Russia.

“Actually, I said I’m not really breaking ties, but we will open up alliances with China, and I had a good talk with Prime Minister Medvedev. He’s there waiting for my visit,” Duterte told Palace reporters.

“After China, I think I’ll go to Japan and I’ll go to Russia,” he continued. “Never mind about the ratings. I will open up the Philippines for them to do business alliance of trade and commerce.”

Not about military alliances

Though he is opening up to China and Russia, Duterte said he is not inclined to talk about military alliances, especially in the wake of the UN arbitration ruling that granted rights to the Philippines over disputed areas at the South China Sea.

There will never be time to talk about military alliances, Duterte said. “If America wants to go to war about the China Sea, it can have its day.” 

Duterte reiterated that he is not ready to wage war against China, admitting anew that the Philippines’ defense is not at par with China.?“I will not join a war that would only destroy my country because we are not really up to the arms of the opposite side. Walang mangyari sa atin (Nothing will happen to us),” he said.

The President also reiterated his disapproval of the conduct of joint patrols with the US.