Duterte not inclined to sign military pact with China- Palace
Credit to Author: Catherine S. Valente, TMT| Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2020 03:30:18 +0000
President Rodrigo Duterte is not inclined to sign any treaty similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with China or any other country, his spokesman said.
Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte rejected the idea of forging military alliances with other nations, particularly China.
“Sabi niya (He said), ‘No.’ Tinanong ko siya, eh. Ibig sabihin talagang desidido siya doon. Tumayo na tayo sa sarili nating kakayanan (I asked him. That means he’s decided. We should stand on our own). If we have to spend more, then we’ll spend more,” Panelo said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
“Ayaw niya talaga, eh (President Duterte really doesn’t want it),” he added.
Panelo, who also serves as Duterte’s top legal counsel, reiterated that Duterte wanted to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities instead.
“Kung lumapit sila at mag-offer ng ganito at makakatulong sa atin… Alam mo, sabi ni Presidente, ‘Basta palaging national interest and general welfare, kung makakatulong sa atin, payag ako diyan’ (If they approach us and offer us something that can help us… You know, the President said he is for anything that will be beneficial to us and will promote our national interest and general welfare),” he said.
Since assuming the presidency in June 2016, Duterte’s foreign policy has so far been marked with increased engagements with Russia and China.
Last week, the Philippines notified the US that it was revoking the VFA.