‘Separation from US unwise, incomprehensible’

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte’s announcement of cutting ties with the United States in an apparent attempt to shift foreign policy in favor of China is “unwise and incomprehensible,” former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said yesterday.

“What is unfolding before us must be considered a national tragedy which does not need to happen,” Del Rosario said.

“It is our earnest hope that this most unfortunate declaration will be corrected,” he added.

Duterte said he would realign the Philippines with China and Russia in a triumvirate “against the world.”

“The declared shift in foreign policy casting aside a long-time reliable ally to hastily embrace an aggressive neighbor that vehemently rejects international law is both unwise and incomprehensible,” Del Rosario said.

During his visit in Beijing, Duterte announced that he is cutting military and economic ties with the US and is veering towards China, in a dramatic foreign policy shift that his officials said would open more opportunities for the Philippines.

Duterte claimed the US has been arrogant and has been imposing its policies on other countries, including the Philippines, its traditional partner and ally.

“We must be with responsible nations with whom we share our core values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law,” Del Rosario said.

“To stand otherwise is not what Filipinos are; it is not what we do; it is not what is right.”

Del Rosario said a principled and independent foreign policy that Duterte wanted should not be driven by a possible bias and threatening to burn bridges with valued partners and friends to favor another state.

He said Duterte’s foreign policy had gone “off-track.”

Unusual

Former foreign undersecretary Lauro Baja Jr. said it was “unusual” for the President, a guest of a foreign government, to make the announcement abroad that he is separating from a long-time ally.

He said the statements could be construed as a policy of the Duterte administration.

“It’s unusual though to say this abroad and as a guest of a government but… if it’s a policy, it’s a major statement from the President,” Baja said in a television interview.

It was one of the President’s normal off the cuff statements, but Baja said it is something that bears watching for further developments.

“His word is not severing, it’s separation. I don’t know what he means by ‘separation.’ I caught also a statement that China, Russia and the Philippines against the world. I don’t know what he means. I doubt that his Cabinet members particularly (Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Perfecto) Yasay and (Finance) Secretary (Carlos) Dominguez were consulted. So we don’t know what he means as of this time,” he said.

Baja said the situation in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal should have been discussed by Duterte in his visit to China.

“No matter how you look at it, it’s a victory for China and what do we get for the Philippines is now nothing except to talk. I would have hoped that at least the situation in the Scarborough Shoal should have been discussed,” Baja said. “It’s incumbent for the Philippines to execute whatever awards. Again it will send a wrong message to China, a wrong message to the US, a wrong message to their ally, maybe a wrong message to Filipinos.”