Exclusive - Analysts Tagged Duterte as 'Master Strategists' After Using China to Gain US' Respect

Recently, many were taken aback when President Duterte announced that he will be ending PHL's relationship with the United States as he strengthens the country's relationship with China and Russia. He even quipped that it is now PHL-China-Russia against the world. Although $24 Billion worth of Funding and Investment pledges were secured by President in his 4-day state visit in China, many politicians and experts are somewhat skeptical about his decision in cutting ties with the global superpower as they rank second in our overall direct foreign investments.

However, political analysts Eduardo Araral and Richard Heydarian think otherwise and believe that Duterte has been strategizing the whole time. He revived the relationship with China after the West Philippine Sea dispute and is giving the United States a tougher stance in order to prove the sincerity of their intentions in maintaining relations with their long-time ally in Asia.

According to the analysts, the US can still maintain its friendly relationship with the Philippines if they:

-make tangible contributions in the administration’s war against drugs

-be more sober in its criticism of Duterte on the issue of human rights

-give Duterte the respect he deserves as head of state

-provide the Philippines with aid commensurate to its position as a valuable ally in Asia

-clarify the extent of the mutual defense treaty.

Source: TNP, Filipinewsph