Philippines President Duterte Tells Foreign Business They Can Leave

[Steadman Uhlich]

From a Rappler report Oct 25, 2016

SOURCE: Rappler is a Philippine based news agency for online reporting of news from the Philippines.

TOKYO, Japan (UPDATED) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 25, urged foreign businesses in the Philippines worried about his deadly drug war to "pack up and leave", as he launched another anti-American tirade before flying to Japan to attract investments.

Duterte voiced outrage at comments made the previous day by the top US envoy to Asia that his fiery rhetoric and crime war, which has claimed about 3,700 lives in four months, were bad for business.

"These Americans are really crazy," Duterte said, as he held up a newspaper with headlines reporting criticism from US assistant secretary of state Daniel Russel.

"Russel says 'Duterte comments causing worries in business communities'. Then you pack up and leave. We will recover, I assure you." (READ: Duterte to Russel: Don't ask me to tone down rhetoric)

Duterte then flew to Japan, one of the top US allies in Asia, for a three-day visit that is partly aimed at building on two-way trade of more than $18 billion dollars last year.

"With Japan as the Philippines' top trading partner, I shall seek the sustainment and further enhancement of our important economic ties," Duterte, 71, said in prepared remarks at Manila airport.

"I look forward to meeting business leaders in Japan. I will tell them clearly that the Philippines is open for business."

Upon arrival in Tokyo, he proceeded to a hotel for an event with members of the local Filipino community where he heaped more invective on Washington.

"I do not want to fight," he said. "But these stupid Americans, you know the Americans are really a bully... they are bullies, these pests."

In contrast, Duterte had nothing but praise for Tokyo.

"Japan has really been our biggest helper," he said, citing assistance in the form of an airport and road-building projects.

"The fact is they are really so very kind," he added.

But his harsh criticism of Washington – which guarantees Japan's security – is likely to be seen as embarrassing.

Duterte will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and have an audience with Emperor Akihito during the trip, which follows his headline-grabbing state visit to China last week.

'Lapdog'

A self-proclaimed socialist with close links to communists, Duterte last week announced in Beijing the Philippines' "separation" from the US, throwing into doubt a 70-year alliance that is anchored on a mutual defence treaty.

He quickly walked back from his comments after returning from China, saying "separation" did not mean he would "sever" ties and that the US alliance would continue.

Still, the anti-American vitriol kept flowing.

Prior to departure for Tokyo, Duterte said he was not a "lapdog" of the US, and again voiced anger at American and European criticism of apparent extrajudicial killings on his watch.

"You are a son of a whore," he said referring to his critics.

"Do not make us dogs. Do not. As if I am a dog with a leash and then you throw bread far away that I cannot reach."

Duterte has previously branded US President Barack Obama a "son of a whore" and told him to "go to hell".

Russel, the US envoy, said after meeting Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay on Monday that many people around the world were becoming increasingly worried about Duterte's tirades.

Japan, which is wary of China's rising influence in the region, signalled it would be looking for clarification from Duterte about his foreign policy plans.

"It is important to have good communication and to listen directly to what Mr Duterte has in mind," Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters ahead of a meeting with the president when asked about his comments on ties with Washington.

Abe had worked to improve bilateral relations with Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino.

Japan provided patrol boats to support the Philippines in its territorial row with Beijing over rival claims to the South China Sea, as it sought backing in its own maritime dispute with China.

Aquino took Beijing to an international tribunal over its extensive claims in the South China Sea – where it has built artificial islands capable of hosting military facilities – and the Philippines won a resounding victory in July.

But Duterte has sought not to use the verdict to anger China, instead worked to improve ties and attract billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investments. – Rappler.com

[IdoraKeeper]

We should not forget that we supported the Marcos regime. Even put up ol' Ferdinand and Imelda in Hawaii when they were booted. It seems that the PI has a lingering taste for totalitarian authoritarianism. Strange however to make overtures to Nippon, neh?

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

From a Rappler report Oct 25, 2016

SOURCE: Rappler is a Philippine based news agency for online reporting of news from the Philippines.

TOKYO, Japan (UPDATED) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 25, urged foreign businesses in the Philippines worried about his deadly drug war to "pack up and leave", as he launched another anti-American tirade before flying to Japan to attract investments.

Duterte voiced outrage at comments made the previous day by the top US envoy to Asia that his fiery rhetoric and crime war, which has claimed about 3,700 lives in four months, were bad for business.

"These Americans are really crazy," Duterte said, as he held up a newspaper with headlines reporting criticism from US assistant secretary of state Daniel Russel.

"Russel says 'Duterte comments causing worries in business communities'. Then you pack up and leave. We will recover, I assure you." (READ: Duterte to Russel: Don't ask me to tone down rhetoric)

Duterte then flew to Japan, one of the top US allies in Asia, for a three-day visit that is partly aimed at building on two-way trade of more than $18 billion dollars last year.

"With Japan as the Philippines' top trading partner, I shall seek the sustainment and further enhancement of our important economic ties," Duterte, 71, said in prepared remarks at Manila airport.

"I look forward to meeting business leaders in Japan. I will tell them clearly that the Philippines is open for business."

Upon arrival in Tokyo, he proceeded to a hotel for an event with members of the local Filipino community where he heaped more invective on Washington.

"I do not want to fight," he said. "But these stupid Americans, you know the Americans are really a bully... they are bullies, these pests."

In contrast, Duterte had nothing but praise for Tokyo.

"Japan has really been our biggest helper," he said, citing assistance in the form of an airport and road-building projects.

"The fact is they are really so very kind," he added.

But his harsh criticism of Washington – which guarantees Japan's security – is likely to be seen as embarrassing.

Duterte will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and have an audience with Emperor Akihito during the trip, which follows his headline-grabbing state visit to China last week.

'Lapdog'

A self-proclaimed socialist with close links to communists, Duterte last week announced in Beijing the Philippines' "separation" from the US, throwing into doubt a 70-year alliance that is anchored on a mutual defence treaty.

He quickly walked back from his comments after returning from China, saying "separation" did not mean he would "sever" ties and that the US alliance would continue.

Still, the anti-American vitriol kept flowing.

Prior to departure for Tokyo, Duterte said he was not a "lapdog" of the US, and again voiced anger at American and European criticism of apparent extrajudicial killings on his watch.

"You are a son of a whore," he said referring to his critics.

"Do not make us dogs. Do not. As if I am a dog with a leash and then you throw bread far away that I cannot reach."

Duterte has previously branded US President Barack Obama a "son of a whore" and told him to "go to hell".

Russel, the US envoy, said after meeting Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay on Monday that many people around the world were becoming increasingly worried about Duterte's tirades.

Japan, which is wary of China's rising influence in the region, signalled it would be looking for clarification from Duterte about his foreign policy plans.

"It is important to have good communication and to listen directly to what Mr Duterte has in mind," Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters ahead of a meeting with the president when asked about his comments on ties with Washington.

Abe had worked to improve bilateral relations with Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino.

Japan provided patrol boats to support the Philippines in its territorial row with Beijing over rival claims to the South China Sea, as it sought backing in its own maritime dispute with China.

Aquino took Beijing to an international tribunal over its extensive claims in the South China Sea – where it has built artificial islands capable of hosting military facilities – and the Philippines won a resounding victory in July.

But Duterte has sought not to use the verdict to anger China, instead worked to improve ties and attract billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investments. – Rappler.com

this is news?

[jimbunyard]

Just wait 'til we get Trump(ed)...the suspense is becoming acute...

[zeehag]

so far the ONLY nation not supporting the end of terrorism and drug trafficking is usa. all others seem to b a aligning with russia and china.
funny how it works when your own govt is supporting funding and sending arms to the enemy the rest have sworn to destroy,..

[Dirk Williams]

I continue to be impressed with the wisdom demonstrated on this site, by many.
Zee, your view is solid, sadly we the people failed to give direction to those we send to DC.

We lost our Republic, and by definition now live in a Fascist nation, which sucks. Our choices are, appalling, frankly my concern is WWIII. I'm not one who's going to let govt., dictate who my enemy is.

DC inc, are the worlds bullies. Yet we the people continue to vote the same two clubs in expecting some sort of change. That's the sad joke.

Read somewhere, recently that many expats in the PI region are very uncomfortable with their new management. This new guys a nut, I clearly understand why he's cozying up to the Chinese.,

I spent 16 ish months living in the PI in 78/79, in the Navy. Had seriously considered retiring their, wife will have nothing of it. Our grand kids are here. This is where she's staying.

Zee, you nailed it.

Dirk

[TrentePieds]

Am I old-fashioned or merely being silly?

I thot the wardroom rules militate against political discussions??

Isn't that so, Moderator?

TrentePieds

[jpendoley]

Politics really has no place on this board. That's what makes it worth visiting.

[n13L5]

Well, he got it half right...

The American people are not bullies by and large, but FED, CFR and others that are controlling Washington, they are most certainly bullies.

And they know their trade of death, extortion and economic assassination well enough, to where Duterte should be smarter than running his mouth about it.

Washington will certainly have a go at replacing him by pulling the ample number of strings they hold. If that doesn't work, they'll go harder, like crashing the Philippine economy and/or arming rebels and drug cartels to the teeth, like they did in Mexico.

You never know if the CIA finds their favorite kind - a Pinochet type guy to replace him and it won't be much fun being in the Philippines anymore.

Its happened multiple times before. Most recently, do you think Venezuela turned to sh*t all on its own? No, they weren't obedient to Washington's demands and also offering political Asylum to Julian Assange and this is the punishment.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by jpendoley

Politics really has no place on this board. That's what makes it worth visiting.

True, but politics does determine where most of us are likely to cruise, or even where we will be allowed to cruise.

It wasn't long ago I was (as a Canadian sailor) discouraged from mentioning Cuba because it was like throwing one's tackle into a piranha tank. Now, Cuba (due to politics) may be discussed.

I think if partisan politics unrelated to sailing is excluded, there's room for discussing world events (and world politics) as it affects sailing/cruising. For instance, I hold dual citizenship in the U.K. and Canada. Guess which passport I'll show when entering Argentina? There's no point in pushing buttons best left unpushed.

[Island Time O25]

I find it sad that US had 70+ years to make Philippines work and they mostly failed. The way they made Japan or Germany work after a relatively brief occupation. Yet it seems there was no real effort to make similar progress with Philippines. No wonder things are turning out the way they are turning out. Duterte is not the cause of the problem but merely a symptom. Same as was Chavez, same as was/is Fidel.

Someone like Duterte should be a warning sign to all who clamor to push "derelicts" of their society somewhere else rather than to deal with true, institutional, causes of the problem. It may get to the point when these "derelicts" when in great enough numbers rise up and bring someone like Duterte or Chavez to power. And we all know how it usually ends.

[Dirk Williams]

hey pleads, do,you know the difference between politics and dialog,? I didn't think so.

Multiple subjects matter being bantered here. All relevant to currant times and situations regarding the health safety and welfare of every SV out their. I deplore politics, even more then WWIII.

Wasn't it Einstien who said something like I no not who wins WWIII, I do know WWIV will be fought with Sticks and stones.

I think he got it right.

Have a good one my friend.

Dirk

[Steadman Uhlich]

I posted this news report NOT to start a political argument (which is against the forum rules AFAIK).

I posted it to alert cruisers and expats to recent statements made by the Philippine President Duterte, as many expats and some cruisers (CF Members) have business interests or investments in PI. That is all.

[Island Time O25]

How can we not engage in certain political discussion when it directly affects CF members' current situation or potential situation in the future? Certainly we should not be cluttering CF with theoretical libertarian vs statist stuff but a practical discussion as to what is going on (and why) in one of the most frequently visited countries in the Pacific is quite germane to the very purpose of this forum.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

I posted this news report NOT to discuss politics.

I posted it to alert cruisers and expats to recent statements made by the Philippine President Duterte, as many expats and some cruisers (CF Members) have business interests or investments in PI. That is all.

Would have been helpful to preface your original post with that information. The thread is now the thread it is.

I'm not going to comment on the history of American colonialism and whether it's our fault that Duterte is in power. That's a very complicated subject and not given to easy summary or analysis.

The man may be prudent to align himself with China, their largest trading partner, and to recalibrate relations with other neighbors. None of us are in any position to have a truly sound prognosis on the matter. It may turn out well, or it may turn out poorly, and a lot of that is going to come down to what leverage he has and what he gets in return. One thing is clear. The Chinese would deliver a LOT in exchange for Subic Bay. A LOT.

But what is most disturbing is the man's rhetoric. Even the Chinese and Japanese are completely confused by his mixed messages. Either he's brilliant and being cagey and seeing how things evolve and how to take advantage, or he's unstable. Unfortunately, history is filled with examples of unstable leaders with impressive staying power.