Despite his latest railings against the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday that the Philippines is not about to cut its security ties with Washington or with other allies.
"We are not going to cut the umbilical cord with the countries we are allied with," said Duterte in remarks at the 48th anniversary of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing in Villamor Air Base.
"We are not cutting our alliances -- military (alliances) as well. But certainly, we will follow an independent posture and independent foreign policy," he added, stressing the need for what he called a "paradigm shift" in the country's dealing with allies.
Duterte's assurance came a day after he called for the withdrawal of US troops in Mindanao -- supposedly for their own safety away from the terror group Abu Sayyaf.
Duterte also said that the Philippines should be "everybody's friend."
He also emphasized that he is "not anti-American" and that he's not severing the military ties.
He also admitted that he resented being criticized by the US and the United Nations for the rising deaths in his vicious drug crackdown.
"Now that I'm the president, you should be careful. If you want to lecture on me, don't do it in public," the President said.
"If you want to criticize me, bring it to the UN and allow me to answer," he added. "Who are you to lecture me?"
Source: Philippine Star
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