Duterte to US: Stop unloading arms in Philippines or I'll abrogate VFA

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the US military to stop unloading weapons in the country or he would consider reviewing or even abrogating the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Duterte said that US troops appear to be building a depot in the Philippines and are unloading arms in Palawan, Cagayan de Oro and Pampanga.

“I am serving notice to the Armed Forces of the United States: Do not do it. I will not allow it. First of all, there is a provision in the Visiting Forces Agreement that there shall be no permanent facilities,” the president said.  

“A depot by any other name is a depot. It’s a permanent structure to house arms. And I do not even know if there is a nuclear tip now that they are unloading because that is prohibited here,” he added.

“It’s not allowed by the treaty. You do that and I will consider a review and maybe ultimately abrogate since it is an Executive Order, abrogate the treaty altogether.”

Duterte accused the US of “egging the Philippines to force the issue of the arbitral judgment,” which voided China’s expansive maritime claim in the South China Sea.

The ruling, which was issued by a Hague-based arbitral court last July, stemmed from a complaint filed by the Philippines in 2013. China has refused to recognize the ruling, calling it a “mere piece of paper” and “illegal since day one.”

Duterte said the US should not drag the Philippines into a conflict with China.

“I read the copy (of the ruling). Altogether, I had two choices: Go there and destroy the structures there because that is ours and go to war or talk. So I was looking at our resources, can we do it?” Duterte said.  

“Now, the missiles of China are pointed at the American expeditions here. Their depot would serve as their supply line. The first areas to be hit by the missiles are in the Philippines. They will hit Cagayan, Palawan and Basa,” he added.

“So? G*** ba akong papayag (Am I that stupid to allow that to happen)? Oo, kaibigan tayo pero huwag mo akong idamay (Yes, we are friends but do not drag us into a conflict).”
 
Duterte said the US is using the word “international seas,” which is not even closer to what the Philippines is claiming.

“So huwag mong ipasubo ang Pilipinas hindi ako papayag. Patayin mo ang Pilipino, ano ang laban namin? (Do not drag the Philippines into a conflict because I won’t allow it to happen. You will have the Filipinos killed? How do we defend ourselves)? You place us all in danger,” Duterte said.  

“You do that and I will be there when you start building the — even before you could build the first post.”

Duterte said China does not want to quarrel with the Philippines. He noted that he already made a “solemn commitment” to Chinese President Xi Jinping that they would talk about the arbitral award within his term.
 
“And somebody asking me, ‘What would prompt you to do that?’ Well, that is part of our entitlement… They have allowed us to fish already. So everybody is happy. Then we start to dig for oil and other precious metals, whatever titanium,” Duterte said.

“Then I will really tell him (Xi): ‘You know, Mr. President, we have to talk. You claim it as yours, we claim it as ours. We have to talk about this because that is equally ours.’ It’s a matter of host claim but it’s stronger. But I think it’s ours because that has passed the scrutiny of a judicial body…”

Duterte noted that investments, assistance and tourists are now coming in from China but maintained that issue is not about the money.  

“Even without that, I will not allow my people to needlessly die…At the end of the day, I would be the worst president if I allow that. That’s the way it is. They’re (US) looking for trouble. They are planning an expedition. Go ahead. We will not participate,” he said.

“And I would like to assure the President of China, Xi Jinping that I will stand by my word.”

Duterte said he does not mind holding joint exercises with the US but reiterated that the Philippines should not be placed at risk because of the American military’s activities.