FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said that the Philippine-United States alliance “cannot be carried out to perpetuate” country’s dependence on Washington.
In a statement he posted in his Facebook account and later on the Department of Foreign Affairs website, Yasay wrote a strong warning to international allies that the Philippines will not hesitate to “terminate” international agreements “when the national interest will no longer be served.”
“In building on the economic pillar of our foreign relations, we must recognize that all nations, whether weak or strong, small or big, will be independent with each other,” Yasay said.
“We will also not hesitate to terminate our international agreements, when the national interest will no longer be served,” he added.
He said the Philippines will lead into a policy where the distribution of capital and resources, products and markets around the globe will always have a compelling effect upon such interdependence.
“This is how every country will make their economy dynamic, robust, and sustainable for the welfare of its people,” he said.
“Our relationships toward this convergence of interests must be balanced and fair to be mutually beneficial to all concerned,” he added.
The foreign chief reiterated that the “change” in foreign policy is made to “protect and promote the national interests in promoting friendship with all nations.”
Yasay has yet to reply to questions on the components, guidelines and roadmap of Yasay referred to as the country’s independent foreign policy after a DFA insider said the Duterte administration lacks a concrete plan on how to pursue an independent foreign policy.
Instead, Yasay reiterated his recent statement describing how the United States has failed us, saying that under the Duterte administration, the Philippines will never allow any “bullying” to make us submit to the interest of any other nation.
“Henceforth, we will reject any aid, assistance or opportunities for joint cooperation from anyone under onerous conditions or offered pursuant to a ‘carrot and stick’ policy,” Yasay said.
Yasay also said Duterte wants to make the Philippines self-reliant in adequately dealing with the internal and external threats to its security.
“Even as we will respect and keep our mutual defense treaty with the US as our safeguard against any risk or menace from external aggression that undermine our territorial integrity, sovereignty rights and maritime entitlements under international law, this important alliance cannot be carried out to perpetuate our dependency thereby making us vulnerable to subservience,” he said.
China has been claiming the whole West Philippine Sea and, since 2013, has been constructing structures, airports and new cities in the contested waters.