Duterte declares break from US in military, economics
BEIJING—President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday indicated that he was also breaking the Philippines' military and economic alliance with the United States.
Duterte made the remark before Chinese government officials and business leaders who attended the Philippines-China Trade and Investment Forum.
With the "separation" from the US, Duterte said he would now be relying on the Chinese officials and businessmen.
"I announce my separation from the United States both in the military but economics also. So please you have another problem of economics in my country," Duterte said.
"I have separated from them so I will be dependent on you for a long time but don't worry we will also help," he added.
Duterte said he also planned to visit Russia and firm up ties with Moscow.
"I realign myself in your ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin. There are three of us against the world. China, Philippines, Russia," Duterte said.
Duterte over the past months stepped up his anti-US rhetoric after US officials, including US President Barack Obama expressed concern over the alleged extrajudicial killings blamed on his war on drugs.
The President also announced that October's joint military exercises with the US would be the last under his term. —NB, GMA News
