Duterte: No More Participation in USA-led Conflicts

“COUNT US OUT.” On Wednesday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared that Philippine troops won’t participate anymore in any US-led joint expeditionary warfare.

“I’m addressing America right now, whatever expeditions that you will conduct, any wars that you will fight in any other countries, count us out,” said the president during his speech at the Philippine National Police Academy’s (PNPA) 39th Commencement Exercises in Silang, Cavite.

Duterte also added that the country gained nothing but “brutality and agony” from participating in such wars. He even pointed out that there were at least “702” casualties the last time the Philippines joined in a US-led warfare.

“We will stand on our own maski wala tayong pera (even if we do not have money),and we will never beg for any help. Sometimes it would mean really the dignity of the people,” he said.

“We have been enslaved by two countries in succession: Spaniards for 400 years and the Americans for 50 years. Tama na po ‘yon (That’s enough). You have had your fill. Do not ask for more,” he added.

Duterte also mentioned the United States’ exploitation of the natural resources of the Philippines as well as other Arab countries.

“You stole our natural resources. You stole the oils (sic) of the Arab countries, divided it arbitrarily into a nation at ngayon kumukuha pa rin kayo, hinihigop pa rin ‘yung (and until now you still get their) oil and there is trouble everywhere,” he said.

“So kung ganun lang naman (if that is the case,) unless we are threatened directly, there will be no more joint expeditions. At least sa panahon ko (not in my term). Maghintay kayong lahat kung mawala ako (You wait until I’m gone).”

The Philippine government, however, has an existing Mutual Defense Treaty with the US that was signed on August 30, 1951. Its purpose was to maintain and strengthen “the fabric of peace in the Pacific area.”

Either side, however, may terminate the treaty one year after notice has been given to the other party according to the Article VIII of the Mutual Defense Treaty.

So far, the Philippines has been involved in a few American-led conflicts including, but not limited to the Vietnam War in the 1960s and the 2003 Iraq War.

via BusinessWorld / Arjay L. Balinbin