Duterte rants about US bullying, hypocrisy in meet with Putin
November 20, 2016 | 10:32am
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, listens to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016.
Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
LIMA, Peru — President Rodrigo Duterte ranted about the western nations’ supposed hypocrisy and their alleged bullying of smaller countries during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Sunday (Manila time) here.
Duterte, in particular, chided the United States (US) and other western nations for supposedly forcing their allies, including the Philippines, to join them in the wars they wage.
“Of late, I see a lot of these western nations bullying small nations. And not only that, they are into so much hypocrisy… They seem to start a war but are afraid to go to war. That is what's wrong with America and the others,” Duterte told Putin during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
“They insist if you are allied with them that (you follow them),” the Philippine leader added.
Topics discussed by Duterte and Putin: 'Bullying' by western nations, drugs @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/JcHKN42vve
— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) November 19, 2016
Duterte said the US asked the Philippines to send troops to Iraq, Vietnam and South Korea but “nothing happened.”
“They (US) went to an expedition in Iraq on an excuse of weapons of mass destruction and there was none,” Duterte said.
“They forced my country to contribute military forces. And when one Filipino worker in the Middle East was captured by the groups there, they threatened to behead the Filipino unless we (get) out of (the) war against the Middle East at that time,” he added.
“The condition was that if we withdraw our forces, then they would spare the life of the Filipino worker. And we decided to withdraw.”
Duterte was referring to Angelo dela Cruz, a Filipino migrant worker who was kidnapped by Iraqi rebels in 2004. Dela Cruz’s abductors demanded that the Philippines pull out its troops in Baghdad in exchange for his freedom. Then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave in to the demand, earning criticisms from the US and its allies.
“From that time on, the Americans made it hard for us,” Duterte said.
The relationship between the Philippines and the US has had a rough sailing under Duterte mainly due to differences over Manila’s intense campaign against illegal drugs. The US, the European Union and the United Nations have raised concerns over the crackdown, which they fear would result in summary executions and human rights abuses. Duterte was angered by their comments and accused them of meddling with the Philippines’ affairs.
In an apparent effort to explain Duterte’s tirades against the west, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said Duterte talked about the “mistakes of the past” so everyone can learn from them.
“I'd like to tell our people that it is very important for everybody to make sure in order for them to successfully move forward, in forging a brighter future for our country, we must learn from the mistakes in the past,” Yasay said.
“Unless we are able to recognize that and acknowledge that our own mistakes made, then there will be no way that we can move forward and I think the president conveyed the message quite clear to the president of Russia,” he added.
Duterte also mentioned his anti-drug war during his meeting with Putin. Duterte informed Putin about his hardline stance against narcotics during his stint as mayor of Davao City.
Exchange of pleasantries
While Duterte had tough words on the US and other western nations, he was all praises for Putin, whom he considers his idol.
Duterte-Putin meeting comes amid uneasy Phl-US relations over the Filipino leader's war on drugs @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/1gMAoxxuTo
— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) November 19, 2016
“I have been looking for this moment to meet you Mr. President not only because you represent a great country but (because of) your leadership too,” the president said.
“We've been longing to be part of Europe especially in commerce and trade around the world,” he added, apparently referring to his administration’s efforts to boost economic ties with other countries.
Putin, for his part, congratulated Duterte for winning the 2016 presidential race, which coincided with Victory Day a celebration of Russia’s victory over the Nazis in 1945.
WATCH: Putin congratulates Duterte for winning the 2016 polls @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/8Q7QkjLEpn
— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) November 20, 2016
“Mr. President, in the presidential election in your country was held on the 9th of May for us it is indeed a very bright day, public holiday that marks the victory in the Great Patriotic War over the Nazis group,” Putin said.
“For you, it has been your personal victory so once again congratulations, Mr. President,” the Russian leader added.
Putin noted that the Philippines and Russia are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.
“You (Duterte) have been able to do a lot in a short period of time in terms of developing the partnerships between our countries and with respect to promoting greater trust and confidence between us. And it is my pleasure to have a chance to speak to you and your colleagues about developing our bilaterals,” he said.
Stronger ties
Yasay described the bilateral meeting between Duterte and Putin as “very encouraging.”
“We had agreed to really foster stronger trade relationship with Russia. We acknowledge that in the past, somehow, even as we have we are celebrating long years, 40 years, of diplomatic relations with Russia, our relationship has not really matured especially in the area of trade and investment and commercial relationship,” Yasay said.
“But this time, we are going to push through for it, the president has explained to president Putin the historical basis of our present situation, why it was necessary for us to really engage in an independent foreign policy,” he added.
Yasay said Putin had formally invited Duterte to visit Russia to discuss ways to further strengthen the ties between Manila and Moscow. He said he would also visit Russia next month to discuss possible bilateral agreements.
“I look forward for even a more optimistic and closer and more detailed discussion of the president with the head of state of Russia and that will mark the beginning of our entering into various agreements that will achieve our objective and goals,” Yasay said.
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