[Gulf Today] Philippine president Duterte appears to have changed his tune and clarified his controversial statement that "separation" did not mean that he was "severing" the nation's relations with the United States.Duterte admitted it would not be in the best interest of the Philippines if he completely cut off ties with the U.S. in a statement late Friday night in his home town of Davao City following his four-day state visit to China.
Duterte said, "When you say severance of ties, you cut diplomatic relations," explaining that "separation" meant pursuing a major foreign policy shift in its relations with the U.S. and aimed at closer ties with other countries. He said, "I cannot do that. Why? It’s to the best interest of my country to maintain that relationship (with the US)."
For one thing, Duterte said, many Filipinos who have acquired American citizenship would surely protest if he severed ties with the U.S., adding, "Besides Filipinos are not ready to support such an option."
While in Beijing on Thursday, Duterte told an economic forum, "In this venue, I announce my separation from the United States both in the military...not social, but economics also."
Former secretary Albert del Rosario of the Department of Foreign Affairs called Duterte's statement "unwise and incomprehensible."
“What is unfolding before us must be considered a national tragedy which does not need to happen," Del Rosario said in a statement.