Philippines, US agree to boost bilateral ties in human rights, other areas

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment in various areas, including human rights, which had been a sore point in the two countries’ ties.

“The U.S. and Philippine delegations emphasized the importance of the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms,” read a joint press statement issued following the two nations’ seventh Bilateral Strategic Dialogue from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2017 held in Washington.

“The United States and the Philippines reaffirmed the importance of regular high-level consultations,” the statement also said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is facing strong criticisms for his brutal drug war, which has taken the lives of thousands of suspected small-time drug dealers, most of whom are from the urban poor.

The maverick Duterte earlier sparked diplomatic alarm for announcing Manila's "separation" from its century-old alliance with Washington after former US President Barack Obama denounced the deadly crackdown.

He also sought to realign his country’s diplomatic and military alliance toward China and Russia, Washington’s strategic rivals.

Ties between the two countries' later improved upon US President Donald Trump's election victory. In a telephone conversation last April, Trump had told his Philippine counterpart he was doing an "unbelievable job on the drug problem."

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Ahead of the two firebrand leader’s meeting in November, several US lawmakers had urged Trump to confront Duterte about the mounting fatalities in Manila’s drug war.

But according to Malacañang, Trump—in a dramatic turnaround from past practice by American presidents to press foreign leaders about allegations of human rights violations—avoided the sensitive topic.

Meanwhile, the White House said human rights “briefly came up in the context of the Philippines’ flight against illegal drugs,” a stark contrast to the Palace’s statement.

Other areas

Aside from human rights, senior officials from Manila and Washington also discussed a wide variety of issues of mutual interest, with both sides reaffirming their partnership in maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

They also tackled how the two countries can deepen ties in cybersecurity, countering transnational drug trafficking and terrorism, improving drug prevention and treatment services, as well as combating wildlife trafficking and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

In terms of boosting extensive economic relationship between the two countries, representatives from the US and the Philippines noted the “substantive discussions” on cooperating in areas such as science and technology, agriculture and fisheries, and health and environment.

They likewise welcomed the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement discussions held on November 29, and “look forward to more robust discussions on ways to expand free, fair and reciprocal bilateral trade, including through exploring a potential Free Trade Agreement.”

Both countries also highlighted regional security challenges, particularly North Korea’s “unlawful ballistic missile and nuclear programs” and the South China Sea dispute.

At length, the US welcomed the Philippines’ offer to host the next Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Manila in 2018.