Philippines top diplomat says U.S. has failed former colony
NAN-F-5
Diplomat
Manila, Oct. 6, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte is seeking to realign his country’s foreign policy away from the US, stating “America has failed us.”
“The U.S. has “held on to invisible chains that reined us in towards dependency and submission” even after it gave its former colony independence in 1946.
“Breaking away from the shackling dependency of the Philippines to effectively address internal and external security threats has become imperative in putting an end to our nation’s subservience to U.S. interests,” he said.
The U.S. is the Philippines closest ally and the two countries have a mutual defence treaty.
However, in the past three months, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his discontent about relations with Washington.
On Tuesday, he warned that he might “break up” with the U.S.
He earlier said that ongoing joint military exercises between U.S. and Philippines troops would be the last under his term.
The U.S. obtained the Philippines from Spain in 1898 and despite a first constitution being drawn up in 1935; it only officially recognised the country’s independence in 1946. (dpa/NAN)
(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/ Julius Enehikhuere)