Philippine president tells US to forget about defense pact

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he does not want to see any foreign troops in his country, and that the United States should “forget” a defense pact with Manila.

Duterte told reporters on Tuesday at the airport in the capital of Manila before leaving for Japan that if he stayed longer, he would not sign the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US.  

As a counter to China in the South China Sea, the US and the Philippines enacted the EDCA in 2014, giving the US military rotational access to five bases in the Philippines.

Last month, President Duterte promised he would review the defense pact, and called for the withdrawal of US Special Forces from southern Philippines. 

On Tuesday, Duterte said he is against the presence of any foreign troops in the Philippines.

"I do not want to see any military man of any other nation (in the Philippines), except the Filipino soldier,” he stated.

"That's the long and short of it. I want an independent policy where I don't have to accede to anyone else,” said the president, who is known for his candid talk.  

"I look forward to the time when I no longer see any military troops or soldier in my country except the Filipino soldiers," Duterte said.

In addition, he said Washington should stop treating his country "like a dog with a leash.”

During a visit to China last week, President Duterte announced a "separation from the US,” saying it applied to military and economic cooperation between Washington and Manila.

However, a day later, Duterte walked back slightly from the statement, saying he did not mean total “separation” from Washington.

EA