President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday warned the United States to stop interfering in his war on drugs as he hinted that he is ready to stop the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between Manila and Washington.
Duterte made the statement as lawmakers in the United States said the extrajudicial killings could have an impact on future US aid to the country.
“Edca has not been signed by President Benigno Aquino III,” Duterte said, noting that the 2014 pact was only signed by then Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg.
“Better think twice now, because I will be asking you to leave the Philippines altogether…If you Americans are angry with me, then I am also angry with you,” added the President.
For his part, US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel dangled the concept of “people power” as he cautioned against more anti-US posturing.
“I think it would be a serious mistake in a democratic country like the Philippines to underestimate the power of the public’s affinity for the US. That’s people power,” Russel said.
“All politicians have to be responsive to both the mainstream public attitude and the national security and economic interests of their country. All of that leads to continued close ties between our two countries,” Russel added.
Manila Standard contacted Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and presidential spokesman Ernie Abella but they did not make any comment on Washington’s statement.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he personally found Duterte’s comments against the US “deeply troubling” even as he maintained that bilateral relations remain “ironclad.”
In 2015, the Philippines received about $175 million in US development assistance and $50 million in foreign military financing. In 2016, it has gotten $75 million for counterterrorism and maritime security.