Speak Loudly While Holding Your Little Stick

Obama has said he isn't offended. Duterte's talk hasn't resulted in formal requests (for example, a formal request that the US pulls it's military assets from the Philippines).

Talk is cheap. It's action that we should be discussing. So far it appears there has been little action behind Duterte's statements in regards to relations with the US.

 

I would agree, lost of talk, little action yet Seems like more than anything there is a lot of "political posturing" going on. As you say not much action. There also seems to be conflicting information being put out by the general government administration in regarding to Duterte's tirades. Duterte's approval has gone down in the 70's percentiles. Still a great number, but significantly less than the highly publicized 91% approval when he enter office, and only the killings had started.

There are many conflicting news items, even with his high approval ratings . His posturing and shouting about the worthlessness of the military exercises with the US was countered by his own military Defense Secretary: "Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Armed Forces officials have attested to the benefit of such joint exercise to the Philippines military... He explained one of the benefits it the exposure of the Filipino Solders to modern systems, tactic and war concepts, like in the conduct of joint landing, marksmanship and maneuvers... He also cited the US military's prompt dispatch of its naval and air assets to Tacloban City in the 2013 in the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Yolanda.This was possible because of the presence of the Americans in the country at that time. etc, etc" (from the Oct. 6, The Philippine Star News "Rody is informed on war games?" by Jaime Laude, on page 4. Lorenzansa said it wold

Deturte has also said the President (Aquino) had not signed theEnhanced Defense Coopretaion Agreement (EDCA). However Aquino did sign a memorandum of ratification of the document meaning that "the documents were signed by the authority of the President" according to Chief Presidential legal Counsel Salvador Panelo. (From the Manila Standard, Oct 6, A2) When this information was delivered to Duterte, he just nodded it as it did not seem to fit is story.

Now the big question is why do I even read the newspaper when there is so much black (false) propaganda on all sides? It does seem like the county is in some form of chaos and the members of the President's administration are making statements that vary from Duterte's boastful macho tirades, and not vary supportive. Duterte does seem to have a good handle on understanding his Filipino constituents, which is why he had many sucesses (?) in Davao, but has a very poor understanding of world opinion. That may be why he is having a hard time swallowing criticisms and not getting his expectation that other nations will endorse the many killing here in the Philippines. Life is a learning experienced.

 

I can respect Duterte for this myself. I see it as the little guy on the playground that for years has been bossed around by the big boys to the advantage of the big boys and now the little guy is fighting back and saying he won't play that game anymore. For years the US while helping the Philippines has also played the Philippines as well as the US does all around the world but under the current administration its gone to far trying to force and blackmail the little guy into doing what they want. The US and Obama admin along with the rest of the west are trying to force liberal ideals on the Philippines that the country really doesn't agree with. Stuff like criminals having rights don't go over well with the families that have suffered at the hands of criminals and in the Philippines a LOT of families have suffered at the hands of criminals even cutting out the politician criminals. The US sure doesn't seem to care about the lives and families of the non criminals that are harmed and ruined but they are all up in arms to protect that which destroys.

Further they keep spewing this 3k number of deaths related to the war on drugs and now saying its over 3k while so many of those don't even seem tied to drugs or drug killings. They even shouldn't be counting a single death were the police go to arrest and the drug dealers start shooting and end up dead as that may be a dead person but not due to drugs but due to shooting at police. Duterte's admin last I heard was saying around 1400-1600 sanctioned drug hits (which includes those of known/suspected dealers the police knew about that wound up dead). The west and US won't accept that many criminals committing murder are also just leaving a sign saying *pusher* hoping to get off yet police are still investigating them as murders.

 

You don't often see many bullies giving billions to the little guy. They tend to be more like China and go about taking things and building islands. If you're wondering how much money they have got from Russia and China....see link below.

Foreign Aid Transparency Hub - Full Report

If you have to have a sugar daddy, I'd rather have the billions from the US/UK as opposed to the millions from China/Russia . I don't think any of the countries mentioned intentions are truly altruistic. How will aligning with Russia or China benefit the Filipino people? If Duterte's purpose is to improve the lives of Filipino's it seems like aligning with a generous benefactor is the smartest move.

This may all be a brilliant plan to get more money from his current sponsors, time will tell how the gamble pays off.

 

Hmmmmmm according to a Speech I was listening to last night, it would appear that the PI don't Need International Help

 

I stand corrected.

 

I'll step out on a limb here.
He will get the U.S. et al to give him the moon and the stars to keep China and Russia at bay.
He wasn't born under a mango tree.
Look at his statements about human rights. If he agreed to follow acceptable norms the druggies would not be in fear.
He's getting what he wants. He can apologize later.