Duterte keen on cementing ties with other non-US allies
MANILA, Philippines – After cozying up to Russia which recently sent a warship to Manila on a goodwill visit, President Duterte is expected to seek expanded bilateral relations with other countries as part of his push for an independent foreign policy that is less dependent on the US, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said over the weekend.
“So, what we are saying is that in a sense, we are having a break from the mentality that our source of security comes only from one particular country. There is a widening of our borders of support,” Abella said in a radio interview, after the visit of Russian anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs.
“So, basically, this goes not just for Russia but for our neighbors. What the President is saying is that we are beginning to recognize particular country and we are beginning to recognize that our borders are not necessarily limited or confined to simply one country or one geopolitical force,” he said.
He was apparently referring to Duterte’s toning down the country’s military relations with long-time ally US.
Duterte toured the Russian warship on Friday. He referred to the officers and crew as “our Russian friends.”
“Anytime you want to dock here for anything, for play, for replenish supplies or maybe our ally to protect us,” Duterte was quoted by Reuters as saying. He then shook hands with Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov, head of the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet.
Duterte has repeatedly made known his desire to veer away from the US to countries not militarily allied with the Philippines like China and Russia.
With Duterte’s upcoming visit to Moscow, Abella sees greater exchange of defense agreements as a follow-up to a previous memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 2014 between Manila and Moscow. The MOU covers not just defense, but also cultural exchanges.
On Wednesday, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev told a news briefing that Moscow was willing to help Manila advance its military capabilities.
He also shrugged off insinuations the Duterte administration was playing friendly to Russia simply to spite the US.
“I think it’s time to get rid of outdated clichés. It’s time to get rid of prejudices. As far I understand the Philippines, there is an objective need to diversify the range of circle of your foreign partners,” the Russian ambassador said.
“We are talking about diversification. It’s a not a choice between these partners and those. Diversification means reserving, keeping traditional old partners and getting new ones,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo said forging closer ties with China and Russia should not come at the expense of relations with other nations, particularly long-time allies like the US.
“For me, I think it will be good for the country to cultivate friendship with other countries aside from the US,” she said in Filipino at a press briefing in Iloilo.
“That will be for the good of everyone because we are trying to have more friends,” she added.
“There is no problem for us to maintain close relations with China and Russia, but hopefully not at the expense of severing our ties with other allies,” she said, when asked to comment on Duterte’s pronouncements during his tour of the Russian vessel Admiral Tributs.
While she was still in the Cabinet, Robredo repeatedly cautioned Duterte over his statements that would alienate allies such as the US, citing the long history of partnership between Washington and Manila. – With Janvic Mateo
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