Philippines’ Duterte says ‘not a fan’ of US, plots own course

Reporting on his trip in an arrival speech, Mr. Duterte said advancing the Philippines’ interest was his objective in attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit and related meetings in Vientiane, Laos, last week.

Duterte’s visit to Jakarta is part of his first worldwide tour after becoming president in June.

While he declined to assess his first foreign trip as it would be self-serving, Duterte said, “I say, a posture of confidence that I was able to deliver what we are obligated to”. “I am truly humbled”.

Before leaving for Laos, an angry Duterte warned Obama against confronting him over the drug killings in the country, saying the USA has no right to meddle with domestic affairs. I said, don’t do that lest we end up insulting each other.

“It does not offend anybody, but it sends a message that we have every right to pursue an independent foreign policy without interference”, he said. “I only want to be at peace with everybody, doing business with everybody and no quarrels”, he said.

“It is your duty to the country”, he said.

The United States, United Nations and worldwide human rights groups have expressed concern over the killings, angering Mr. Duterte, who brooks no opposition to the scorched-earth policy he has laid down for his drug campaign. He added that he would refrain from confronting territorial rival China.

It’s not the first time Duterte’s comments have made worldwide news since he took office in June, previously criticizing the U.S. and United Kingdom response to violence in the Middle East, and using a homophobic slur against the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.

Duterte’s debut in the world stage has been marred by his conflict with US President Barack Obama on human rights concerns.

But Duterte said that he does not want to pick a fight with any country.

Duterte said holding the ASEAN meeting in Davao City was an option but would still depend on the security situation amid ongoing state of national emergency.

Despite Obama brushing off Duterte’s comments, Duterte ended up not sitting with Obama and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at the ASEAN Summit dinner on Sep 7, Wed, contrary to Malacañang Palace’s earlier press release. “We identified ways to move relations forward and I thanked them for hosting the Filipino workers in their country”, he said. “I handled arguments, defense, and if there were really earthshaking issues, then that’s the only time he would speak as president of the republic”, he said in Filipino.

He stressed that the tribunal’s ruling was “binding” and could not be ignored by Beijing, which has rejected it. What he said in his ambush interview in Laos was that it would be “improper and highly bastos” to bring up the issue of (extrajudicial killings) during the bilateral meet.