The militaries of the United States and the Philippines are currently working together on "amphibious military drills." In spite of this, the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, made statements this week viciously attacking the United States, one the closest allies of the Philippines. Duterte has become well-known as a controversial world leader since his election in June, and fosters a public image as a "politically incorrect" straight talker who unreservedly says what is on his mind. In the United States, he has been widely compared to presidential candidate Donald Trump. Duterte is best known for his war on drugs, in which drug dealers are not merely stopped and arrested, but rather, killed and executed. 3000 suspected drug dealers have been killed as a result of Duterte's campaign. Duterte attacked the United States for criticizing him rather than funding his war on drugs, in spite of China's and Russia's aid to this war, saying that Obama can "go to hell" and that the European Union is almost as bad as the United States, and that the EU "better choose purgatory, hell is filled up." The Philippines' enhanced diplomatic relations with China is undermining U.S. power in the Philippines, which is manifested through the use of Philippine military bases. The author ends by suggesting that the United States ought to seek other allies in Southeast Asia in their standoff with China.
Justin Wysocke
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2016/1004/As-joint-military-exercises-begin-Philippine-president-rages-against-US
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