Trump's blunt assessment: Duterte's diplomacy “didn't know what they were doing”
• During his first meeting with President Marcos Jr., US President Donald Trump publicly stated that the previous Duterte administration "didn't know what they were doing" and "didn't get along with anybody" in its foreign policy.
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• Trump expressed satisfaction that the Philippines, which he said was "tilting toward China" under Duterte, has now "un-tilted" back towards the United States under Marcos Jr.'s leadership.
• Trump's remarks come as former President Duterte is reportedly detained by the ICC, and amid a heated political rivalry between President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte in the Philippines.
• The article notes that under President Marcos Jr., the Philippines has adopted a more decisive stance on the West Philippine Sea, a shift that aligns with consistent US support in the disputed waters.
In a significant first face-to-face encounter, US President Donald Trump delivered a pointed critique of the previous Philippine administration's foreign policy, telling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s government "did not know what they were doing" and "didn’t get along with anybody."
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The remarks were made during a joint interview, underscoring a notable shift in the diplomatic tone between Washington and Manila.
Former President Duterte had notably pursued a foreign policy pivot during his term, often distancing the Philippines from its longstanding ally, the United States, in favor of warmer ties with China.
This strategic realignment, which included allowing a stronger Chinese presence in the disputed West Philippine Sea, had previously raised eyebrows in Washington.
Trump’s direct comments come at a time when Duterte is reportedly detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, facing alleged crimes against humanity.
During the discussion, President Trump conveyed his satisfaction with the current state of US-Philippines relations under the Marcos administration.
"I can say that the last administration was not getting along with them too well. They didn’t get along with anybody… honestly, they didn’t know what they were doing," the US leader stated.
Observing President Marcos Jr.'s reaction, he noted the country had been "tilting toward China" for a period but that it was "un-tilted very, very quickly" once he (Trump) was elected.
Marcos Jr. was seen smiling during these pointed remarks.
The US President's comments also resonate against the backdrop of a heated domestic political rivalry within the Philippines.
Vice President Sara Duterte, the daughter of the former president, has openly criticized President Marcos Jr. and even made a controversial claim about once hiring a hitman for self-protection, intensifying political tensions.
Trump's apparent endorsement of Marcos's current foreign policy direction could be interpreted in various ways within this complex political landscape.
Despite his criticism of Duterte's past leaning towards Beijing, Trump offered a pragmatic view on Marcos's engagement with China.
"You can deal with China. You should deal with China. But when I got elected, everything changed, and they came right back to us," he explained.
He further clarified his stance, stating, "I don't mind if the President (Marcos) dealt with China…I think he has to do what's right for his country. I've always said, you know, make the Philippines great again. Do whatever you need to do."
This suggests a nuanced approach, acknowledging a nation's sovereign right to forge beneficial ties while prioritizing its core alliances.
Under President Marcos Jr., the relationship between Manila and Beijing has indeed grown more strained, particularly concerning the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos's administration has adopted a more assertive stance, steadfastly reaffirming the Philippines' claims over the contested waters.
This aligns with consistent US support for the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, a policy that has been maintained from the Biden administration and appears to be continued under Trump's current term.
While Marcos has diligently worked to strengthen US-Philippines relations, efforts that notably commenced during the administration of former US President Joe Biden, he continues to emphasize the Philippines' commitment to an independent foreign policy.
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In other news, ABS-CBN News reporter Izzy Lee went viral on social media following a humorous slip-up during her live report on flooding in Manila. She uttered the line "the knees are up to the calves" while describing the water level on the street. Izzy has since reacted to the blooper, explaining she hadn't eaten and was sleep-deprived during the report, which is why she didn't realize her mistake. She promptly apologized with a lighthearted and humorous post on Facebook.
Still in other news, a 49-year-old health worker died from electr0cution inside a flooded health center in Meycauayan, Bulacan. She was at the health center to manage medications and vaccines for evacuees. Widespread flooding, caused by Typhoon Wipha, affected Bulacan and other parts of Luzon. Authorities are investigating the source of the electrical current and warning against the dangers of flooding in buildings.
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