Duterte wants to liberate Philippines from U.S. shackles: foreign minister

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS | Thu Oct 6, 2016 | 9:00am EDT

Duterte wants to liberate Philippines from U.S. shackles: foreign minister

The president of the Philippines wants to liberate his country from a "shackling dependency" on the United States which can not guarantee its help when Philippine sovereignty is under threat, its foreign minister said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, in the most forceful show of accord from a top official with President Rodrigo Duterte's tough anti-American stance, said the president was "compelled to realign" Philippine foreign policy and not submit to U.S. demands and interests.

"Breaking away from the shackling dependency of the Philippines to effectively address both internal and external security threats has become imperative in putting an end to our nation's subservience to United States' interests," Yasay said in a Facebook post.

Yasay's assessment of U.S. ties follows a diplomatic storm over Duterte's declarations over the past eight days that joint U.S.-Philippines military exercises would cease, a defense agreement would be reviewed and at an undisclosed time, he might "break up" with the United States.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-duterte-idUSKCN1260X5

[Ratty]

1. Interesting take on this on Cracked

Yes, I have to get my foreign policy analyses dumbed down. I blame Stewart and Colbert. Anyway, thought this was pretty eye-opening:

How WWIII Can Start In The Last Place You Expect

[VMA131Marine]

2. Fine! Go then!

[tonyt53]

3. They'd better be learning to speak Chinese.

Or, it might be about time for a trip from Putin, or a trip to visit Putin.

[atreides1]

4. Great

That means the US can redirect all foreign aid from the Philippines, to helping American citizens!

It's about time that the Philippines actually became an independent, sovereign, country...and no longer the foot stool of a World Power!!!