Philippine leader Duterte takes thinly veiled dig at US

[webfact]

Philippine leader takes thinly veiled dig at US 

 

VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte took a thinly veiled dig at the United States on Thursday, complaining that colonizers who killed many Filipinos are now raising human rights concerns with him.

 

President Barack Obama was among several world leaders who listened to Duterte's brief speech at the East Asia Summit in the Laotian capital of Vientiane.

 

Obama earlier canceled a meeting with Duterte after the Philippine leader referred to him in comments to reporters as a "son of a bitch" and warned him not to discuss the deaths of thousands of suspects in an anti-drug campaign.

 

Two Philippine Cabinet officials said Duterte did not criticize any country or leader by name in his speech. Other diplomats who heard the speech, however, felt he was referring to the United States, which colonized the Philippines after defeating its former ruler, Spain.

 

An Indonesian diplomat said Duterte held up a picture of Filipinos killed in colonial times to underscore his point. The diplomat spoke to reporters on condition that he not be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

 

Philippine officials refused to release Duterte's remarks, which were not included in his prepared speech. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said the president provided an explanation of how human rights records should be assessed in the context of the historical record.

 

"In the passionate intervention of President Duterte, he underscored the need to take a long historical view of human rights, mindful of the atrocities against the ethnic people of Mindanao," the department said in a statement, referring to the southern Philippine region where American forces were involved in deadly clashes with Muslim Filipinos in the early 1900s.

 

Duterte, who assumed the presidency in June, has had an uneasy relationship with the U.S., his country's longtime treaty ally. He has said he is charting a foreign policy that is not dependent on the U.S., and has moved to reduce tensions with China over rival territorial claims.

 

The tough-talking president has also blasted U.N.-appointed human rights experts and rights watchdogs who have expressed concerns over the extrajudicial killings of more than 2,800 suspected drug dealers and users since Duterte took office. More than 600,000 others have surrendered, apparently out of fear of being killed.

 

After the flap over Duterte's earlier remarks, he and Obama met briefly on the sidelines of the Laos meetings and shook hands.

 

One Cabinet member, Jesus Dureza, said he asked Duterte how his talk with Obama went. "It was OK," Dureza quoted Duterte as saying. "He told me, 'we can talk some more at another time.'"

 

The summit ended with Laos turning over the chairmanship of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations to Duterte, whose country will host the annual diplomatic gathering next year.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-09-09

[Usernames]

Yes, far fewer Filipinos would have died had the United States allowed the Philippines to remain under Japanese rule in World War II.

[IAMHERE]

9 hours ago, Usernames said:

Yes, far fewer Filipinos would have died had the United States allowed the Philippines to remain under Japanese rule in World War II.

I'm supposing Spains colonization of Philippines was mostly benevolent. I sure hope the Philippines can get somebody other than Americans to fend off the Chinese for their share of the South China Sea. God I hope Trump wins.

[hawker9000]

5 hours ago, IAMHERE said:

I'm supposing Spains colonization of Philippines was mostly benevolent. I sure hope the Philippines can get somebody other than Americans to fend off the Chinese for their share of the South China Sea. God I hope Trump wins.

Ever heard of José Rizal?  It wasn't the U.S. that executed him... 

 

I suspect some Filipinos are a bit put out with the U.S. for its lack of any meaningful action against the Chinese.  Too bad.  They couldn't wait for the U.S. to close down their bases.  The U.S. obliged.  Then the U.S. elected a hapless tool like Obama, and now the PI is left having to sleep in the bed it made.   Their short-sightedness rivals that of Obama himself.

 

 

 

 

[bendejo]

Just about every day this guy comes up with another "controversial statement" to get him in the headlines.  Something familiar about this tactic, where have we seen it before...?

 

Obama is a relatively easy-going guy, as far as world leaders go, so the US is an easy shot for Mr Macho Moron. 

 

Hey, times change Dudu, or is there still cannibalism in PI?

 

 

Edited September 9, 2016 by bendejo

[siamike]

6 hours ago, hawker9000 said:

Ever heard of José Rizal?  It wasn't the U.S. that executed him... 

 

I suspect some Filipinos are a bit put out with the U.S. for its lack of any meaningful action against the Chinese.  Too bad.  They couldn't wait for the U.S. to close down their bases.  The U.S. obliged.  Then the U.S. elected a hapless tool like Obama, and now the PI is left having to sleep in the bed it made.   Their short-sightedness rivals that of Obama himself.

 

 

 

 

 

The US Bases were closed in 1991 (under the first Bush administration).  The Obama administration has negotiated opening 5 new airbase throughout the Philippines, in large part to help deal with the South China Sea issue.

[Stargeezr]

This new leader in Philippines  has been in power for such a short time, and yet manages to upset a major world leader.  I don't get it, not sure what he is trying to do. He seems as foolish as the Canadian PM. Was he Just Not Ready to lead his country?

Geezer

[Rancid]

2 hours ago, siamike said:

 

The US Bases were closed in 1991 (under the first Bush administration).  The Obama administration has negotiated opening 5 new airbase throughout the Philippines, in large part to help deal with the South China Sea issue.

True, however isn't that actually illegal under their current constitution? If you look at the history of colonialism, it wasn't actually instigated as a humanitarian program. The European powers have some very ugly histories in the atrocities committed and what was done to maintain their colonies.

 

What usually is consistent is that the colonizers fondly recall how benevolent they were bringing civilization to the savages, likewise those that were colonized rarely see it in the same light. The collaborators always did very well however the general population did not.

 

Did not the US regard themselves as a subservient UK colony and start a war for independence? How then does it regard itself being all benevolent as a colonial master of another country?

[craigt3365]

4 minutes ago, Rancid said:

True, however isn't that actually illegal under their current constitution? If you look at the history of colonialism, it wasn't actually instigated as a humanitarian program. The European powers have some very ugly histories in the atrocities committed and what was done to maintain their colonies.

 

What usually is consistent is that the colonizers fondly recall how benevolent they were bringing civilization to the savages, likewise those that were colonized rarely see it in the same light. The collaborators always did very well however the general population did not.

 

Did not the US regard themselves as a subservient UK colony and start a war for independence? How then does it regard itself being all benevolent as a colonial master of another country?

It was a rather short lived colony of the US.  And liberated by the US from Japanese forces.  Who committed massive atrocities during WW2.  The US is hardly a colonial power.

[Credo]

They are going to have to build a digital wall around this guy and not allow him out of the Philippines.   He's a disaster.

 

I don't agree with how he is handling the drug situation in the Philippines, but I do believe it is an internal matter and he has massive support from the people.   It's certainly within the right of other countries to express their concern about extrajudicial killings.   

 

His remarks about the past are nothing more than a deflection and not germane to anything currently happening.  

 

If Duterte wishes for the US to leave the Philippines, then he and his government can move in that direction and it will happen.   It has happened in the past and it can happen again.   He can deal with his little dispute on the Atolls however he wishes.   The US would like to see the shipping lanes free for travel, that's about the extent of it.   

 

I believe that the Vietnamese some years back offered Cam Rahn Bay as a possible alternative for the US military.   For a variety of reasons, including historic ties, that would be a 2nd choice at best.   

 

It's hard to figure out what this guy wants.   

 

 

 

[Cats4ever]

2 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

It was a rather short lived colony of the US.  And liberated by the US from Japanese forces.  Who committed massive atrocities during WW2.  The US is hardly a colonial power.

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guantanamo, PI for 40+ years. Drawing a long bow, one could add California, New Mexico, Arizona et al.

Most western societies are guilty. The guilt is ameliorated by the mores of the times. Might is right.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, siamike said:

 

The US Bases were closed in 1991 (under the first Bush administration).  The Obama administration has negotiated opening 5 new airbase throughout the Philippines, in large part to help deal with the South China Sea issue.

 

 

And from what I hear, it is a done deal. The PI really needs the US. In addition, the US has helped to convert the old Clark and Subic bases into hugely successful industrial, high tech manufacturing complexes. Hundreds of US companies have opened facilities there. It is generating massive financial benefit, and tens of thousands of much needed, high paying jobs for the locals. They really need the assistance of the US. In addition to the nearly 200 million per year in other assistance. Duterte has better tread carefully. He is upsetting the apple cart. He is a goon, and a fool. He has no control of his mouth. He is the opposite of a diplomat. 

[craigt3365]

4 minutes ago, Cats4ever said:

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guantanamo, PI for 40+ years. Drawing a long bow, one could add California, New Mexico, Arizona et al.

Most western societies are guilty. The guilt is ameliorated by the mores of the times. Might is right.

But no where near the big colonial powers.  And for nowhere near as much time.  But yes, you are right!

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, craigt3365 said:

It was a rather short lived colony of the US.  And liberated by the US from Japanese forces.  Who committed massive atrocities during WW2.  The US is hardly a colonial power.

 

 

That is not exactly correct. The US has a history of controlling countries, but prefers to not use the term colonization. It is not a pretty history. Though, most historians seem to prefer to forget the details, for some reason. I say this as an American, and one who is not particularly proud of many of the misdeeds of our past and present. Granted little came close to the extreme brutality of the Japanese during WII. 

 

The first Philippine Republic was short-lived. Spain had lost a war with the United States. The Philippines was illegally ceded to the United States at the Treaty of Paris for US$20 million, together with Cuba and Puerto Rico.

A Filipino-American War broke out as the United States attempted to establish control over the islands. The war lasted for more than 10 years, resulting in the death of more than 600,000 Filipinos. The little-known war has been described by historians as the "first Vietnam", where US troops first used tactics such as strategic hamleting and scorched-earth policy to "pacify" the natives.

The United States established an economic system giving the colonizers full rights to the country's resources. The Spanish feudal system was not dismantled; in fact, through the system of land registration that favored the upper Filipino classes, tenancy became more widespread during the US occupation. A native elite, including physicians trained in the United States, was groomed to manage the economic and political system of the country. The U.S. also introduced western modells of educational and health-care systems which reinforced elitism and a colonial mentality that persists to this day, some would argue, mixed with the Spanish feudal patron-client relationship.

Militant peasant and workers' groups were formed during the U.S. occupation despite the repressive situation. A movement for Philippine independence, involving diverse groups, continued throughout the occupation. A Commonwealth government was established in 1935 to allow limited self-rule but this was interrupted by the Second World War and the Japanese occupation. The guerilla movement against Japanese fascism was led mainly by socialists and communists, known by their acronym, HUKS.

Shortly after the end of the Second World War, flag independence was regained although the U.S. imposed certain conditions, including the disenfranchisement of progressive political parties, the retention of U.S. military bases and the signing of economic agreements allowing the U.S. continued control over the Philippine economy.

Edited September 10, 2016 by spidermike007

[GOLDBUGGY]

On 10/9/2559 at 10:31 AM, Cats4ever said:

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guantanamo, PI for 40+ years. Drawing a long bow, one could add California, New Mexico, Arizona et al.

Most western societies are guilty. The guilt is ameliorated by the mores of the times. Might is right.

I know Puerto Rico was given the right to vote for independents or staying with the United States, and they chose to remain. I don't think this was ever an issue for Hawaii. Guantanamo is more of an army base then colonization. 

 

But drawing even a longer bow, since when was California, New Mexico, Arizona, and you can also include Texas and Florida, given to the Spanish without a fight? Many Indian Tribes, including the Apache, would disagree with this. You might as well include the the Inca Tribes to where the Spanish took away by force most of South America and Mexico to.

 

The Spanish also colonized many other countries and all by force. They are poor examples to compare with the United States, but good examples for Colonization of other countries. The Spanish made claim to that part of the United States but it doesn't mean it belonged to them. At least not anymore than the moon belongs to the United States because they planted the first flag their.