US Defense Secretary James Mattis’ arrival in the Philippines on Monday could have been an opportunity to showcase America’s importance in the region. But, as NPR writes, the Philippines had somthing else in mind.
Shortly after Mattis’ arrival, In an announcement hailing the end to Manila’s campaign against the ISIS-inspired insurgency in Marawi, Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Negrillo Lorenza decided not to mention Washington’s support for the campaign. Manila’s praise was reserved for Russia and China, both of which provided arms that the Obama administration had withheld due to concerns about Duterte’s drug war.
While the weapons from Beijing and Moscow are insignificant in comparison to the military ties between Washington and Manila, for Duterte it is a way to remind the US that it cannot take its close ties with the Philippines for granted.
In related news, the Washington Post reported that President Trump will not attend the East Asia Summit held in the Philippines on November 14, though Trump will be in the country on the 12th and 13th.
The Philstar confirmed that a bilateral meeting between Trump and Duterte is being arranged for while Trump is there.
That’s quite possibly the stupidest comment I have ever read
The US in Korea and Vietnam, did they really help the people in the region? Or just fighting against the communist?
Love your comments. Time is very fast approaching when these Yankess will be out of Asia & they will be contained in their Cocoons.
Jo Kang What a load of oral diarhea. China tried to invade an river island from Rusia in 67 then north part of Vietnam, Indian himalayas, Pakistany himalayas invaded Tibet, claiming Taiwan and all islands in China sea. Where will it stop? Grow up and be real!
Please check your geography, it’s MARAWI and not MALAWI, which is another country in AFRICA. Please do your homework well before commenting.
James Bogle Sr. China and Russia have no military agreement with the Philippines that would allow their boots on the ground constitutionally. We have an standing military cooperation with the US.
Porferio A. Anino Jr you seem to say, I better be a friend of USA than with China. That is like an abused person identifiying with the abuser. Furthermore, I assume that you do not agree with Duterte, either.
I think Duterte is doing many great things for your country-men and the advancement of your civilization. Of course, his base is the working class, which I assume again you are not.
Let’s take just one issue for example, the South China sea issue. Before Duterte got elected as your president, your country seemed to go into a ferocious war against China, thinking the USA would back you up and be your ally forever and ever. hehehe -probably you would have ended up like the Kurds. But, instead, Duterte won the presidency and established good relations with China. That action has got you huge investments by China which you need very badly.
The South China Sea issue has become a not issue.
James Bogle Sr. US intelligence organized Marawi war. Have you knotited it started right at the time when Duterte was in Russia, Duterte had to cut the visit short. Yes, US provided drones to Philippines that helped the fight significantly. But Philippines has long standing defending treaty with US, and drones came 2 month into the Marawi campagn when US realized that ISIS in Mindanao will be defeated and US will look very bad. Too bad by that time more than 100 soldiers were dead.
All american FBI and special forces have been located in Iligan, 10 miles away from the action.
Yeah right!? That’s why the US dominate in almost all aspect in life for 5 decades and more that’s really fascinating for a little brain?!
Yeah right?! The Americans has li’l brain thats why they dominate in almost all aspects in life in the world for more than 5 decades already! What an analysis you got there man!
China has a right to protect her sovereign borders against aggressive US imperialism. What if China was to set up military bases in Cuba and Carribean islands to contain American influence? Just as the US has done in the client states of Japan and South Korea. The US would be furiously establishing territorial rights in the surrounding waters.
America is the cause of turmoil….. a wolf in sheep’s clothing!
Yeah Mr. Yap. Chinese use there money for brive anyone. Using money is more than using force to gain something which you dont own. When clark air base and subic naval base are present in the Philippines, did China show the 9 dash line? And then later becomes a 10 dash line? No! Because the US are present. Now the US no more, China has 9 dash line.
Yourceither an idiot or brainwashed.Chinese wants a second Island from the Phillipines now and threaten war if The president takes this matter to The UN. Chi a did not send troops to help in ISIS they gave a few million in money and some smallvarms,Russia did not send anything and your president at the time of the begining of the war was trying to bug arms from Russia funny they sent arms after it was over, now lets talk about the US since your so hell bent that CIA created this ,you must be insane if you think that way we send troops to be killed by ISIS wow (we create this on Philippines this war and send our men to fight alongside our Filipino servicemen and risk our lives to help end the war and save lives of Filipinos.WTG stop smoking whatever grass you are doing its killing your brain cells plus you can be killed since there is a war on drugs and its dealers and users…
Congratulations to President Duterte for defeating the CIA ISIS terrorism in Malawi! A decisive, short war is better than a long war destabilising the nation.
US was almost defeated in KOREAN WAR until ARMISTICE was reached.
US was defeated in VIETNAM WAR.
US have trouble defeating ASIA.
It is a bad idea to side with the americans. Learn the past.
We need a regional friends.
Maybe the project manager of NIDCO should go back to the Pinoy history and refresh himself on how the Americans took over the country from the Spanish. How many thousands pf philipinos were slaughtered during and after the take over. The Chinese use money and not thru force of arms to kill and to loot and to lord over the native people.
Your a Chinese thats why your comments are anti US. Tell China to stop the land grabbing of all SCS and stop bullying the small nation. Chinese is no.1 in brivery and thats what they are doing. I have a lot of experienced with Chinese brivery for your info but it doesn’t work with me.
Americans in Asia expect Asians to die for them. They rather lead from behind and press buttons rather than set foot on Asian soil. MacArthur many years ago after the Korean War, warned Americans not to fight a land war in Asia again because the Asians are ferocious fighters and are not afraid to die. The opposite is true for the Americans. Not only that they are more concerned about collecting their dead friends. Now their interest is first and foremost to contain China. Not in the least are they interested in trade and other matters. Containment of China is foremost and only intention in Asia. How many countries would share this intention with the US? Lee Kwan Yew many years ago, said that the Americans are like teenagers, full of energy and strength but little brains, unlike the British. The Brits have no choice. They have no money and so have to depend on their "brains".
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