Philippine defense chief says Duterte may be 'misinformed' on U.S. alliance

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS | Wed Oct 5, 2016 | 8:23am EDT

Philippine defense chief says Duterte may be 'misinformed' on U.S. alliance

The Philippine defense minister sought to patch up cracks in a military alliance with the United States on Wednesday, saying President Rodrigo Duterte, who has appeared intent on scrapping joint programs, might be misinformed about their value.

Referring to recent strongly worded comments by Duterte, in which he has declared that the Philippines military gained little from U.S. security ties, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the armed forces were still weak and the country got a lot out of the U.S. relationship.

"That's why I said the president was misinformed, because I think the information he is getting is incomplete," Lorenzana told reporters, a day after the launch of the latest round of PHIBLEX military exercises involving troops from both sides.

"Maybe, the defense ministry and the armed forces were remiss in providing him the correct information. This, we will address in the coming days."

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-usa-military-idUSKCN1251B5

[exboyfil]

1. Preview in microcosm of a Trump presidency

The professionals trying to hold it together.

[Fozzledick]

2. Who needs a military when you've got death squads running amok in the streets?

Duterte clearly has his own agenda that has nothing to do with national defense.

I can't help wondering how much longer the military is going to put up with it.