Philippines finally comes home to Asia following Duterte’s groundbreaking trip to China

duterte_in_china

Senator Leila de Lima was on a rampage following Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s reported shift of the country’s foreign policy to one that involves a cosying up to China and a “separation” from the United States. De Lima described Duterte’s move during his official visit to China this week as a “whole level of betrayal”.

Mocking Duterte as “star-struck and starry-eyed,” De Lima asked if Filipinos “can expect more” from relations with two countries whose people, she said, “have limited expectations about respect for their human rights, labor law protections and, in general, freedom from violence from their own government.”

She also called him a “naïve child looking at the world through distorted lenses when it comes to a lot of things, including foreign policy,” with “a really inflated, if not delusional, view of himself as a strongman at the level of China and Russia’s leadership.”

“But that’s what you get from violently and vengefully silencing the voices that try show you reason – you deny yourself the chance to mature,” she added.

It is a bit ironic, however, the way de Lima describes the thinking Duterte applies to his government’s approach to China as one that looks at the world “through distorted lenses”.

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If there is a distorted lens through which things transpiring today are being seen, it is the Cold War lens that Filipinos’ eyes remain stuck behind. Whereas in the old days, the bad guys were the “communist countries” and the good guys were the “capitalist countries”, today under the fresh light of better information and evolved ideologies, it is no longer that clear cut.

For one thing, a “communist” country like China is not really as communist as it used to be. Its brand of capitalism is now giving the capitalist orthodoxy of the West (that half of the world that the US presumes to lead) a run for the money. China is now the world’s second biggest economy and its manufacturing centre. It got to that position by evolving into a hybrid state that now defies the old lines that divided the planet during the Cold War.

Yet, the rhetoric used by those who are critical of Duterte remain consistent with the narrative of that old global order. De Lima’s sidekick in the Philippine Senate, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, for example, called Duterte a communist — as if that was necessarily a bad thing in the context of what is happening today. Again, he uses the notion of being “communist” with derision presumably in reference to the seemingly crystallising “Philippine pivot to China” thing. As mentioned earlier, the question of whether China remains “communist” in the real sense is becoming increasingly debatable.

Interestingly enough, it is really Trillanes — a convicted mutineer who sought to violently overthrow the government of former President Gloria Arroyo — who holds a track record for behaving like the stereotypical communist. Indeed, the recent protest rally in front of the US Embassy today that turned violent was instigated by the same old Filipino communist groups. These groups, while supposedly ideologically-linked to Maoist doctrine, are no more than faded relics of the so-called “communism” (if it can still be called that) practiced by China in the past.

Nonetheless, many Filipinos have been thrown into a shrieky panic over this supposed pivot away from the “old ally” towards China — and, perhaps, Russia. These are, after all, people who were brought up on Mickey Mouse cartoons, are convinced that basketball is their game, and remain America’s biggest fans in the Far East. More importantly, the Philippines, by all intents and purposes, is a country built and sustained on US aid and US capital.

So it is really not surprising that Filipinos now find themselves kicking and screaming on the perception that they are being violently dragged out of the comfy cocoon of US influence and protection. Perhaps Filipinos are just too hard-wired to not fathom the possibility that Duterte’s pivot to China marks the beginning of the Philippines’ coming back home to Asia.

[Photo courtesy Australian Financial Review.]

66 Replies to “Philippines finally comes home to Asia following Duterte’s groundbreaking trip to China”

  1. Philippines has come home to the country that supplies us drugs and seized our islands. A price worth paying just so duterte can play his games and give his hated country the middle finger.

    1. This is why Filipinos are such idiots. Benigno has a point. China isn’t as it used to be. Australia has major economic ties with China and it hasn’t been affected by whether certain policies they follow align itself with China.

      Only Philippines seem obsessed with everything American when over in Australia, I’ve come to know alternative view of people towards U.S. and they’re especially critical of its foreign policies.

  2. Communism is much better than democracy or even Fascism? No thanks, but I like this one instead, ever heard about the so-called Social Democracy?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_democracy

    That one is much better & its a hybrid of socialism & democracy, there’s a freedom on it but its an anti-oligarch type of capitalism. Wish that kind of political system should adopt it both to China & to our country instead of having a corrupt & unsystematic Democracy or a totalitarian Communism.

    1. Social democracy? You mean those countries that are now being invaded by refugees. Those guys have problems of their own.

  3. Pres. Duterte’s pivot to China and Russia, is a very Smart move. It weakens the power of the U.S./C.I.A. , the Filipino U.S. ass wipers/lickers, and other Filipino U.S. lackeys…

    The battle of political ideologies, is a thing of the past. Trillanes does not even know about communism…he thinks communism is like a plague, like the American propagandists, had demonized it.

    There is the Chinese communism, which is hidden capitalism. There is the Cuban communism, which is socialism. Sen. Sanders , a confirmed American socialist, was allowed to run for U.S. President in the Democratic Party national primary…

    “What does it matter, if the cat is black or white. If it catches mouse; it is a good cat”…from the late Chinese Chairman Deng Ziao Peng…

    Leila de Lima is outraged; because her foreign supporters in the “human rights”, which comes from the U.S., is now weakened.
    De Lima is headed to a long time in jail !

    China is a neighbor. It is an economic powerhouse. The U.S. owes billions of dollars to China. The U.S. has billion of dollars in Trade deficit with China.

    In good neighborliness, we must allow our good neighbors to help us. Especially in the fight against the Chinese Triad Mafia and the illegal Shabu Drug proliferation, cause by Aquino, Mar Roxas, De Lima, etc…

    To be friends with all Asian neighbors, and all countries of the world; irrespective of their political, religious and cultural ideologies must be our goal. What did we get from the U.S. ? Scrap military equipment; Laurel Langley Agreement; U.S. / C.I.A political meddling; U.S. Dept. of State coup d’etat; U.S. bases, with military personnel raping our women and killing Filipinos; U.S. aid addiction; etc…

    The U.S. has now a diplomatic relation and friendship with Cuba. A communist country of Fidel Castro !

    Why should we more “Popish” than the Pope ?

  4. The west technically started the (unintended??) public declaration of “qualms” against a president and its administration. To level the playing field, why shouldn’t our president defend his position publicly? The pivot to China may mean he’s joining the band of nations who want independence from inappropriate western interference. Oh, and I can agree with Sandro Marcos’s tweet on policy and financial institutions. The media’s on him again.

    1. We do not have any master ! We are keeping our self respects …we are not servants to anybody !

      If China and Russia will respect us; and not take advantage of us; then, we can all be friends !

      Where there are no servants; there will be no masters !

      We will be friends with the U.S.; if they do not meddle in our political/internal affairs. They have to respect our neutrality !

      1. What do you mean by “if china will respect us”? They already seized our territory what more disrespect do you need? hehehe dont be a fanatic you cant square a circle.

        1. Says the actual fanatic yourself. Would you please set aside your EMOTIONS and please dig deeper?

        2. I dug a little deeper and found I dont like “friend” countries that take over our lands. I’m weird that way.

        3. @Popoyb. How emotional with you. Even the vietnamese who were slaughtered by the US in their millions found it in themselves to align with them.

        4. We have to talk about the seized territories, in a diplomatic manner.

          China seized the territories, because the idiot Aquino, send an idiot Trillanes, to conduct backdoor diplomacy with the Chinese. And Aquino, sent a World War I Warship to intimidate the Chinese…

          Now that Pres. Duterte had talked with the leaders in China. That seized territories can be on future agenda !

          Resolve it thru diplomacy; not war !

  5. Whatever happened to “Burn China,Chexit” and all that? wasn’t it just a few months ago that the Filipinos,after the proclamation of the Hague results that the Filipinos we’re ready to go for an all out war?what happened? Now, those same people pivoted and start rallying behind the idea that the Presidents (Duterte) “pivot”to China and Russia is a prelude to becoming a RED state or.. do they even realize that aspect of it?they’re blinded by all the changes within the system all over the nation that this possibility is overlooked?Do they even know the consequences o being in a “red state”?

    Pro Duterte folks will be in for a rude awakening once the mechanisms towards the red starts ( i’m afraid it has already begun).

    1. The world is not divided into any colors (red, blue, white , yellow, etc)…political ideologies are matters of differences of opinions or political beliefs. We do not have to be frightened by any political or religious ideologies…some countries demonize political ideologies of such kinds, to control other countries; politically and economically.

      Ever heard, the U.S. is protector of Saudi Arabia. The country produced the Islamic radical Wahabi sect: Al Queda religious/political ideology. Al Queda destroyed the twin towers in New York, U.S.A.

      We all have to grow up, and transcend any political, religious or any ideologies or beliefs of any kind… Because they are just differences of opinions; and differences of ideologies and beliefs!

    2. I’m now laughing hard. Living in Australia has given me the advantage of learning multiple viewpoints of other countries’ geopolitics. Australia for one has major economic ties with Beijing.

      Our former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, was even fluent in Mandarin and was especially close with China in many regards in the past and this hasn’t affected or influenced Australia to go “red” because Australia is its own independent nation with its own independent foreign policy and following mostly a British type of political system, which I even think is far better than U.S. presidential type.

      Now, I believe what Duterte decided for our country has made much more sense because we’re also even more in close proximity to be able to obtain materials available ; to establish more infrastructure projects and develop other areas in other industries to benefit us in the long run. China’s communism is really just this facade. I believe they are even a little more Far right wing in economics and even some in social aspects especially how they don’t exactly much regard for workers’ rights in their factories. Their culture I guess supersedes more than sticking closely to a particular modern ideology born out of the Industrial revolution.

  6. All the U.S. breastfed “baklas” shitting their pants. You morons are laughable!

    … and DeLima, when will you finally shut your demented pie hole? You are a revolting swine.

    Duterte is doing the right thing. America is going down the drain anyway. The current laughing stock of the world and a country that knows nothing but war, destruction and chaos, populated by a bunch of lardy rednecks and loudmouthed imbeciles. Fake boobs, retarded TV shows and hamburgers. The only truly “American” culture you ever gave the world was Jazz music. Nothing else.

    We don’t need your weapons and war. What we need is a modern infrastructure and a strong economy. America will give us those things? Really? Where?

    The U.S. is only known for raping and plundering the third world which is their creation. THEY learned Filipinos corruption.

    1. Japan and Germany rose through the ashes of WWII because of US aid and are now strong powers in itself and also its pop culture has been affected by its US benefactor. Not everything the US exports is death and chaos.

      So next time you watch anime or listen to Rammstein, don’t forget where they got the influence from. Just food for thought.

        1. He’s saying the US has contributed to pop culture in the form of Disney and rock music which in turn led to those.

        2. Jazz is America’s only true (and unique to America only) art form. Jazz originated in the United States through the confrontation of the Negro with European music. Rock is a result of Jazz, among other music forms like Rhythm and Blues and Gospel.

          Cartoons did not originate in the US, but in France.

          So again, WTF are you talking about?

  7. Senator Leila De Lima questions why President Rodrigo Duterte chose to pivot to China when “it’s the source of drugs”? It’s incredible that she should ask such a fallacious, non sequitur question just to spurn the President. Isn’t that like asking why respect a nation’s revered religious traditions when they are in fact a major source of bizarre practices, and why encourage the use of the Internet when it also makes available the biggest hoard of pornography in the planet? The utter negativity of this spurned woman is almost crackpotish, so I think she ought to be banned from public forums until she’s able to think logically and rationally again.

    1. Witness the mind of a simpleton. Publicly listed chinese chemical companies are producing the “raw materials” of meth/shabu in such quantities that its impossible to deny government complicity. They are the dominant supplier worldwide. This is not simple “negativity”.

      1. How idiotic. Immediately equating trade arrangements to China as trade in illegal drugs. So what if they produce raw materials of shabu? Does it mean we will trade in it? Just because the previous administration turned us into a narco state doesn’t mean that this one will.

        1. 20 years ago, one of neighbors is a known drug addict and a pusher which for some reason is tolerated by the police and other officials. We have a ‘good relationship’ with them. They watch over our house when we’re not home and we watch theirs when they’re out. Their one their children use to come to our house some days to play with me. But they don’t sell or encourage us to use drugs. It’s a matter of respect, I guess, of boundaries.

        2. no one was talking about trade arrangements please improve your reading comprehension. I will simplify it so you can catch up: there is substantial evidence that the chinese government is complicit in the industrial scale (large quantities) production of illegal drugs in their country. This is a valid concern and not merely “negativity” towards duterte administration. Can you process that now?

        3. @Popoyb. China manufacturing shabu in their country does not translate to shabu going into the Philippines. What have the past few months told you about dealing in shabu in this country?

          Of course it is a concern. But so long as we don’t let it into this country, we’ll be fine.

      2. Yep, yep. Witness the mind of an actual faggot.

        Son, congratulations. You just went FULL RETARD with what you wrote.

        1. faggot and retard is the extent of your vocabulary. let me hazard a guess: you are a virgin. you dont have a job. you dont know how to drive. you still live with your parents. You subsist on porn and video games and in between you post on grp. how did i do?

        2. @popoyb:

          How did YOU do? You’re just attention seeking. Oh yeah, assumptions are for fags and this site have no place for whiners who prefer the status quo to remain rather than for change.

          Take your TROLLING to somewhere else, son. Because like I said, you just went FULL RETARD with what you wrote. So much for this whole ‘disente’ crowd who were nothing but hypocritical douchebags…

    1. Hmm, the article was written April this year. In half a year, the situation in Syria is suddenly added to the list of international issues that the US fonds itself neck-deep in. In other words, they can’t afford a war on two fronts; the American people, at this point, seemingly are reluctant to support even just one.

  8. I’d found this interesting video from youtube and for those people who think that Pres. Duterte made a bad move to go to China for his state visit there & meet with the CHinese gov’t & to make peace with them in a bad situation? Well, think again! I think he made a right move on his state visit to China this week because it looks like the Armed Forces of China or the PLA looks like its been demoralized when some of the PLA vets took a protest in Beijing early this month. Hmmm… I could smell that this will be a huge victory on our legal case on the West Philippine Sea against China & this might be the beginning of the end of Communism on that country there very soon just like what Russia did 25 years ago. Thumbs up for Pres. Duterte on his state visit to China & he might have other “Du30” tricks to bring down the Commie gov’t in China without the use of wars or bombs & the Filipino people will trust him so much in the end.

    https://youtu.be/yKK7iCa3Bh0

  9. Filipinos would be better off thinking globally, about how the superpowers are using the lesser countries for their own ends.

    What has the Philippines has to offer in the greater scheme of things? It is good that Digong has the the right mind to know where we should stand in geopolitics being played by the superpowers. The earlier filipinos recognize this and let go of their colonial mentality the better our country will be.

  10. I was surprised to read an article – talking about the cozying up of relations between RP and China) – starting the first column with a “Senator Leila De Lima” line. I mean, I know that the senator have been vilified, insulted, attacked, demonized, flushed down the toilet non-stop in this corner but I never expected that her tile and name will be the first three words that would follow the title of this important event.

    Well, so much for that.

    Right now, I’m reading the article and would comment soon loosely based on the following:

    1. Was the president’s action have the Filipino people’s support?

    2. What was the official reason for the decision to ‘separate’?

    3. When was the idea formulated, encapsulated and submitted for decision?

    Except for those who have high-blood pressures and those who are susceptible for panic attacked, anyone may address the three questions above.

    1. 1. Was the president’s action have the Filipino people’s support?

      – You’ll be surprised that a lot of Filipinos actually support the pivot. Obviously I don’t have stats, but based on the sentiment I’m getting from social media and news sites.

      2. What was the official reason for the decision to ‘separate’?

      – I don’t know the answer to this one, but don’t you think it should be asked in the plural, i.e. “official reasonS.” This decision didn’t come out of a vacuum, a lot of factors probably went into this decision. I think its unfair to suggest that there is only one “official reason.” That’s not how this works.

      3. When was the idea formulated, encapsulated and submitted for decision?

      – This decision seems to have formed within the first 100 days of the Presidency, we had an inkling of what was coming during the ASEAN meeting where Duterte and Obama were supposed to meet. I assume that they were supposed to talk about SCS, but since Obama cancelled it, well, you could say that the idea formed that US isn’t interested in protecting our interests, so Philippines will have to take care of this on its own.

      I’m not sure what you mean by “submitted for decision,” I don’t suppose you mean “submitted for decision to the people” because that’s not how foreign policy is formulated. These aren’t matters submitted to people to vote on like a plebiscite. These things often take place in complete secrecy, that isn’t to say that the executive is immune from repercussions from public sentiment, but that’s just how its done.

      1. 1. Was the president’s action have the Filipino people’s support?
        – You’ll be surprised that a lot of Filipinos actually support the pivot. Obviously I don’t have stats, but based on the sentiment I’m getting from social media and news sites. – Dick

        Forget about surprises, just tell why you think Filipinos support the president’s action. Don’t you have any surveys, polls or even random interviews of people expressing agreement, NOT SENTIMENT, with the president’s decision?

        2. What was the official reason for the decision to ‘separate’?
        – I don’t know the answer to this one, but don’t you think it should be asked in the plural, i.e. “official reasonS.” This decision didn’t come out of a vacuum, a lot of factors probably went into this decision. I think its unfair to suggest that there is only one “official reason.” That’s not how this works.

        In fairness, by saying “you don’t know” the answer indicates honesty on your part. But regardless of whether there is one or more reasons for the president’s decision to ‘separate’, as our representative, as us being his boss, don’t you think he should be clear and categorical on the what, why, when and how of his decision? Was Congress even consulted about it? Did he formed a group prior to reaching such conclusion on matters of foreign policy?

        That, my friend, is very important because we have the right to know.

        3. When was the idea formulated, encapsulated and submitted for decision?
        – This decision seems to have formed within the first 100 days of the Presidency…

        Whoa! Be careful, that’s dangerous. 100 days to make a dramatic, comprehensive and even revolutionary change in foreign policy involving major players is so short a time. Three months and ten days to discard years of long relationship and jump on the other side where we don’t know how they see us being one of the claimants in the disputed territories of SCS? And don’t forget that we have a pending favorable decision in our favor against the country we’re trying to win over.

        As the say in Facebook, relationship: Complicated. : )

        …we had an inkling of what was coming during the ASEAN meeting where Duterte and Obama were supposed to meet. I assume that they were supposed to talk about SCS, but since Obama cancelled it, well, you could say that the idea formed that US isn’t interested in protecting our interests, so Philippines will have to take care of this on its own.

        Nope, my friend. That is not what actually happened. You look back at it again and you’ll see the real reason why the meeting was cancelled.

        I’m not sure what you mean by “submitted for decision,” I don’t suppose you mean “submitted for decision to the people” because that’s not how foreign policy is formulated. These aren’t matters submitted to people to vote on like a plebiscite. These things often take place in complete secrecy, that isn’t to say that the executive is immune from repercussions from public sentiment, but that’s just how its done.

        ‘Submitted for decision’ means that a process was undertaken by a body, committee, office or branch of government formed or tasked to address a particular issue that has national, international and/or wide-ranging ramifications to the country and the countries involved in it.

        If there is none, you think it was merely a personal decision of the president?

        I hope not.

        1. Forget about surprises, just tell why you think Filipinos support the president’s action. Don’t you have any surveys, polls or even random interviews of people expressing agreement, NOT SENTIMENT, with the president’s decision?

          Yes, I clearly stated that I don’t have any stats in my response. No need to further pound this point. I do admit that I am quite interested to see any surveys in this regard, so why don’t you make one?

          Nope, my friend. That is not what actually happened. You look back at it again and you’ll see the real reason why the meeting was cancelled.

          We do have an inkling. When Obama cancelled the meeting over a misunderstanding, we knew just how much the US values its strategic partner in the SCS. Certainly, the SCS issue was in the agenda for that meeting, and we found out just how willing America was to help us out.

          ‘Submitted for decision’ means that a process was undertaken by a body, committee, office or branch of government formed or tasked to address a particular issue that has national, international and/or wide-ranging ramifications to the country and the countries involved in it.
          If there is none, you think it was merely a personal decision of the president?

          Don’t get me wrong, but Duterte’s secretaries are just his alter egos, their “vote” or decision may sway the President, but ultimately, the final decision belongs to the President. If you look at it, that is the beauty of a Presidential form of government, the “buck” stops with him, if something goes wrong, there can be no blame games, its pretty straightforward. But don’t worry, as regards to foreign loans, they can only be valid if approved by the monetary board beforehand. So if there was not approval, you can challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.

        2. You can call 8888 or email the office of the president com as you wish. Or maybe you can be his audience in one of his talks in the future? Let’s see how you finished him off? Your litany of questions and barraged statements are pointless here, obviously.

        3. gnogid says:
          October 23, 2016 at 3:45 am
          gnogid says:
          October 23, 2016 at 7:54 am
          gnogid says:
          October 23, 2016 at 7:29 am
          gnogid says:
          October 23, 2016 at 12:38 pm

          This must be a career for you.
          I salute your passion! You have my respect @gnogid.

        4. Yes, I clearly stated that I don’t have any stats in my response. No need to further pound this point. I do admit that I am quite interested to see any surveys in this regard, so why don’t you make one? – Dick

          To be clear, I included ‘random interviews’ in my response. There’s no intention to ‘pound’ the point. I make the survey? Let me just look for one and see what we can get out of it.

          We do have an inkling. When Obama cancelled the meeting over a misunderstanding, we knew just how much the US values its strategic partner in the SCS. Certainly, the SCS issue was in the agenda for that meeting, and we found out just how willing America was to help us out.

          To be precise, the meeting was cancelled because our president said something derogatory about Obama that is not really proper in the context of understanding and friendship. I’m sure you are aware of it.

        5. You can call 8888 or email the office of the president com as you wish. Or maybe you can be his audience in one of his talks in the future? Let’s see how you finished him off? Your litany of questions and barraged statements are pointless here, obviously. – Leibrook

          I get your sarcasm, my friend. We can only dismiss questions and statements as pointless after we’ve proven WHY they are pointless.

        6. I do admit that I am quite interested to see any surveys in this regard, so why don’t you make one? – Dick

          You may want to look on this.

          SWS survey: Pinoys still trust US over China

          Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/sws-survey-pinoys-still-trust-us-over-china/#x7EYmyXzQreF6zYL.99http://www.mb.com.ph/sws-survey-pinoys-still-trust-us-over-china/

          Third Quarter 2016 Social Weather Survey: Net trust rating of countries: “Very Good” +66 for United States; “Bad” -33 for China
          http://www.sws.org.ph/swsmain/artcldisppage/?artcsyscode=ART-20161018105149

  11. In a nutshell, this is what Pres. Duterte, whom challenge anyone to a debate on the issue, actually said this video and my response about it.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgqMdYbmb4w

    Duterte: I said a few days ago, few months months ago that I will charter a new course changing direction of the foreign policy. And be with friends with everybody and with no enemies to contend with. No enemies to irk, no friends to serve.

    Response: Be friends with everybody after attacking and insulting foreign leaders who happened to expressed their respective views on his war on drugs program? How can you charter a new course in foreign policy and expect no enemies when by making several scandalous pronouncements you just branded who your friends and enemies are?

    Duterte: They were threatening me with going to the int’l criminal court. I said that was enough. I said no. Since nobody was listening to me I gave them the word bullshit all of you. Then they suddenly heard oh somebody bullshitting us, who is this guy? Now they’re hearing. What’s wrong in saying you kill all the criminals?

    Response: Mr. President you are not the only one to received threats from somewhere. Even presidents and leaders of other countries routinely gets threats, court actions or even death threats, from all directions. But they never react the way you do. They do not respond personally and scandalously but usually channel their counter response, if necessary, to proper departments/braches of gov’t that functions as gov’t. mouthpiece. It is not a personal thing that you take because you are now a president of a country of 100+ million people and not just a mayor of a city.

    Duterte: (After narrating the number of years a police or military person spends in education to become a full pledge police/military) They (PNP & AFP) all know that when you say ‘you kill them’ it’s either just like in the old west. It is not our words. It is the words of the American cowboy in the movies. ‘Billy the Kid, wanted dead or alive’. And if you do that in my country, it is not alright.

    When I was small, there was this cowboy chasing a bad guy, then you see posters in the movies “dead or alive”, five hundred dollars. We do not even do that.

    Response: “Old west”? American cowboy in the movies? Really, Mr. President? Sir, the ‘Billy the Kid, wanted dead or alive’ process no longer exist in the U.S. for so long forgotten years! WHAT-ARE-YOU-TALKING-ABOUT, sir?

    Also, Mr. President, you don’t have to get a police or military education to know the principle of self-preservation. Please, Mr. President don’t tell me you are lecturing us on something that is well-covered under the title “common sense”.

    Duterte: …if its a violent resistance, that is the time that they(PNP & AFP) can use force. If that resistance endangers the life of the police and the military, if they believe they are already in the process of losing their lives, that’s the ONLY time that they can kill.

    Response: So, you’re telling us Mr. President that those thousand cases of extra-judicial killings, each one of them, each person killed, put the life of the police on the line? All those killed directly endangered the lives of police hence they were killed? Every time, every killing? You are telling us that’s how bold, fearless and dauntless the criminals are and that is how good, sharp and ready our police in saving their own lives against those criminals? Each time?

    Duterte: So what prompted me to change foreign policy is that almost getting a raw deal with the West. And EU signed a manifesto and they told me it was prepared by the lawyers (of them). I said that the lawyers warned me that I can be prosecuted. And then I realized that what is happening now in EU and everything is because they have STUPID lawyers.

    Response: Mr. President, according to you, what prompted you to change foreign policy was your fear you may be prosecuted as told when the EU warned you that you can be prosecuted? That you, NOT the Filipino people, got a “raw deal with the West”?

    Mr. President, you have the biggest and loudest microphone but I don’t think you are using it properly.

    More to come, friends.

    1. To be fair, I wouldn’t make Kanos easier to come to Pinas, especially with their trailer park sleazy tourists out to go for some young almost child like Filipina skin.

      And it is reasonable to issue it most especially when they make illegals from Mexico to jump through easier than it is for others overseas who at least attempt at going through such costly process only to be likely get rejected.

      So, only rich yellowtards could get through there with more ease. U.S. is overrated with their declining standard of living. They have fucking gun problems which I never have problems with over here in Australia. U.S. notion of freedom is seriously misguided and their healthcare system is beyond outdated.

      I wouldn’t want to remain friends with U.S. either in such regards.

      1. You’re merely putting a cork in one of the many holes on a ship. A lot of sex tourists in the Philippines come from Europe and, this might come as a shocker for you, East Asia. You gonna tighten Visa qualifications for them too?

        And lol it’s not a matter of letting them in “easier” when they’re just simply geographically closer when everyone else has to cross an ocean or two to get to their country. Yankee hater logic is so hilarious I can’t help but laugh at the exaggerations and stereotypes you use to justify closing yourself off to an important ally.

        1. On law enforcement and criminals
          30:51

          Duterte: I do not want, verily I do not want to see military men and policemen die.

          Response: But nobody wants to see military men and policemen die, sir. No president will even entertain such a dark idea.

          Duterte: Not MY soldiers and MY police.

          Response: Now you have “your own” soldiers and policemen, Mr. President. I’m really, really scared. ????

          On veering towards China
          32:06

          Duterte: … why are you veering towards China? Why should not I veer to China? China is good. It has not invaded a piece of my country all this generation.

          Response: Sir, China has been building infrastructure and creating artificial islands in the disputed territories in the SCS for years now. In fact, we have had a favorable decision on our part regarding the illegality of their claim in the area.

          http://www.wsj.com/articles/china-expands-island-construction-in-disputed-south-china-sea-1424290852

          On trade, infrastructure, agricultural issues, etc.
          34:15

          Duterte: Yes, frankly, actually, ah-ehem, well you see, I’m, I’m not, I in the, kind of really to, to – admit it but a – there’s so many things that we need. Ah, we will be asking for the help of China. I do not know if you will, your government will give it to us. I am here on a state visit ah to pay my respects to the great people of China and to the Chinese government. But along the way if they would ask me other things which I mean they can help I would rattle off also the simple ones. Not impositions, not financial biddings. Ah – we would appreciate if we are given ah loans, soft loans. Ah, we would rather borrow and pay it in a very liberal schedule.

          Response: Did you really have to do the begging Mr. President?

          On South China Sea issue
          35:47

          (After a series of intros this is what the president’s speech culminated into)

          Duterte: But I as a friend, and I would say this to ah, if he mentions it in passing and I would just say Mr. President I came here for a revisit. I do not want to make hard impositions. I do not want to ask you to do it now.

          Response: Sir, even if you want to make hard impositions or ask to do it now, you simply cannot. And you really will never do it because you’ll just be embarrassed.

          Duterte: But as a matter of courtesy and the oriental way we’d always wait because I am a visitor. I cannot destroy the goodwill by just blurting out something…..

          Response: Waiting knows no creed nor cultural underpinnings. Be it oriental or horizontal, etc., a weak country don’t have a choice but to wait. With regard to ‘destroy the goodwill by just blurting out something’, Mr. President you often do it as a routine act of yours. Why the double standard?

          Duterte: The arbitral awards give us the right, okay? China has the historical right. And they are insisting and you are insisting. And the Chinese gov’t. is insisting it is a right. So, do we argue or we just talk…..?

          Response: Again, Mr. President you don’t have that option. Your only choice is to talk. No more, no less.

          Duterte: I would say let us put it to some other day.

          Response: Sir, didn’t you hear me? You don’t have that option to dictate when to do it.

          Duterte: “…..we have to talk now and the issues will not go out of what’s in here stated. We are limited to this.

          Response: Says who? Not China, sir. For her, there is no limit.

          Duterte: For after all I did not come here to agree to talk about the China Sea….

          Response: Better remember that, sir. That’s your lifetime visa to China.

          Duterte: I have the highest respect to your president and your premier. I have the highest love for my Chinese people.

          Response: Is the loan not ready, yet? ????

    2. “To be precise, the meeting was cancelled because our president said something derogatory about Obama that is not really proper in the context of understanding and friendship. I’m sure you are aware of it.”

      In this context alone, it is clear that you fail to filter your personal bias. The anchor from GMA already ask for an apology for his wrong news broadcasted on TV. It was clear in the video that his statement was not address to Obama and the statement is pretext as future tense. There was a big “IF”. Meaning he will say and do it IF ..

      But mainstream media reported it as if he was already doing it and so the show must go on, right? But Obama cancelled the meeting without further ado. He Dismissed everything necessary to discuss because of what? Well according to you he must have felt insulted? Base on what? Pretext statement? Wow! sounds very reasonable man for me. But the fact he turned his back says a lot. Why you at fault the president in almost everything he says? When in fact his way of speaking makes him the president. Whether 65% (Devided votes, people who voted to other candidates) disagree on his style, the fact that the bulk of 45% was louder and intact then that is politically established. Meaning you cannot do anything about it for as long as he is the president. You will ask why again? Because 3 months after he won and despite all the local and international criticism, 86% gave him the very good grade. So what does it says to you?

  12. Gnogid yellow, the EU and the US are more in fear of losing their interests than Duterte is of anyfear of them. In fact, you are more afraid of losing your privileges from EU and US than tje rest of us here. Only the yellow army are obsessed with yhis welfare system leeching off gfrom U.S. Your analysis over everything he said is beyond laughable. He’s getting at least a good laugh at you retards for your paranoia.

    1. Baylee, I thought a rest will do you good but apparently it did not.

      Frankly, as much as I want to, I don’t know how to respond on a bot-like post. I’m sorry, sir. Maybe next time.

      1. Haha. Your holier-than-thou, smarter-than-you attitude is why people don’t seem to respect you here.

        But you are consistent. I’ll give you that. There was a certain American blogger who used to frequent this blog. He was fond of putting words in people’s mouths and mislead them with inconsistencies. Needless to say, he was banned. Just stay consistent and candid, and I’m sure the site admin will welcome you here.

        1. Dick, you’re not making sense. Don’t focus on me, focus on what I’m saying. Am I wrong? You are welcome to correct me, then.

          Let’s not get personal guys. I’m sure we’re all good men here. We’re just tempted to act bad guys because of our anonymity and distance. Peace!

        2. I wasn’t focusing on you, I was just commending you for your consistent stand on the issues. Its just that you nitpick a lot and act pompously so that is why others are so dismissive and refuse to answer you directly.

        3. I wasn’t focusing on YOU, I was just commending YOU for YOUR consistent stand on the issues. Its just that YOU nitpick a lot and act pompously so that is why others are so dismissive and refuse to answer YOU directly.

          You do focus on me. Anyway, I don’t mind it. It’s just that we’re not clarifying issues every time we question the purpose of one whose view we disagree with.

          If one nitpicks don’t just say it elaborate why he/she nitpicks. Not explaining why may imply you’re just whining because you cannot offer a counter response. Nobody’s perfect and I’ve made mistakes and wrong assessments more than you can imagine. What’s important is we continue the conversation and exchanges of ideas.

          Lastly, don’t speak for others unless you have their consents.

  13. maraming salamat president DU30 in restoration of our relations with china and the ASEAN (BIMP-EAGA) + RUSSIA. you see folks US-PH-CHINA-ASEAN-RUSSA relations. win-win!

    1. don’t pursue EDCA (a wish of the late Miriam Santiago)
    2. manufactures please
    3. use the nature of our archipelago (agriculture)

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