Nothing Can Affect US- Philippines Military Relationship, Not Even Duterte’s Swearing At POTUS 

The ongoing war on drugs in the Philippines, characterized by some as extrajudicial killings, has yet again ratcheted up controversy- sparked by President Rodrigo Duterte’s explicit comments about President Barack Obama.

After assuming office following a landslide victory in June, Duterte launched a war on drugs which has resulted in the execution of over 2,000 suspected drug traders and consumers.

“Son of a b**ch, I will curse you in that forum,” Duterte was quoted as saying in response to a reporter’s question on his meeting with President Barack Obama. The comment came following criticism from the United States against the deaths caused by Philippines’ war on drugs.

Obama was set to meet Duterte before he flew to Laos where he is attending a summit of Southeast Asian leaders. However, the meeting was canceled following Duterte’s derogatory remarks.

Talking to the press on Monday,Obama stated that he had heard the original comments and characterized them as “colorful.”

As a part of his answer to the reporter’s question, Duterte also pointed to the killing of Muslim Moros during a U.S. campaign in the southern Philippines, blaming the wounds of the past as “the reason why (the south) continues to boil” with separatist insurgencies.

While the incident can thwart government to government ties in the short run, military relationship between the two treaty allies will remain unaffected. Reinforcing this case, it was announced on Wednesday that Manila will receive two used Sherpa 30-seater aircraft from the United States. In view of the ongoing crisis in the South China Sea and China’s increasing assertiveness in the region, the relationship is important for both United States and the Philippines.