(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (September 13) assured that he would not cut ties with allied countries, despite of his statement regarding the removal of United States (US) Special Forces in Mindanao.
“We are not going to cut our umbilical cord with the countries that we are allied now. I hope the country also—the economic side of the country will go full blast and we can trade with all but I said, we are not cutting with our alliances, military as well, but certainly, we will follow an independent posture, an independent foreign policy,” Duterte said in his speech at Villamor Air Base for the 48th anniversary of the 250th Philippine Airlift Wing.
In his second speech, Duterte said he was not against America.
“I am not anti-American. We are not severing our ties, military ties. Nandiyan iyan eh. Who am I to abrogate the treaty? What I am just saying is, we will just follow an independent–kung gusto natin magbili dito, kung libre dito, bakit hindi natin kunin?” Duterte stressed.
Earlier, Duterte said he did not want to involve Philippine troops in joint patrols on international waters.
On Monday, Duterte announced that he wanted US troops out of Mindanao due to risk posed by bandit groups such as Abu Sayyaf. Palace officials clarified a day after that Duterte’s announcement was not yet an official policy.
