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The United States announced that it has withheld a major aid package to the Philippines over significant concerns about the rule of law under President Rodrigo Duterte. This comes as a response to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte war on drug pushers. It has claimed more than 5,000 lives so far.
Even before he was elected Philippines president, Duterte had announced that he would do everything to save Philippines from becoming a narco-state.
The announcement is the sharpest response so far by the United States. Manila has missed out on a second aid grant under the Millennium Challenge Corporation, after an initial five-year package worth more than $430 million expired in May.
This decision reflects the Board’s significant concerns around rule of law and civil liberties in the Philippines. The US government set up the Millennium Challenge Corporation to promote economic growth and reduce poverty around the world.
However countries can only qualify if they demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, investments in its people, and economic freedom.
The United States has been a vocal critic of the war on drugs, with President Barack Obama in September urging Duterte to prosecute it ‘the right way’. The criticism has severely strained ties between the longtime allies, which are bound by a mutual defence pact. Duterte accused Obama of unnecessary meddling into his internal state affairs. He even threatened to end a military pact with the United States in a ‘tit-for-tat’ response to American aid being deferred.
‘Bye bye America,’ Duterte said, after threatening to end a 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement that gives the legal framework for US troops in the Philippines. Duterte has made repeated threats to downgrade or even end military and diplomatic ties. He has already curtailed many of the war games held between the two nations in the Philippines.
Also, Chinese and Philippine coast guards met and agreed to move forward on maritime cooperation as relations between Beijing and Manila warm up.
The development flies in the face of Obama ‘east doctrine.’ Duterte has openly said he admires the leadership styles of Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping. It speaks volume about his intention to veer Philippines away from United States.
Despite his war against drug pushers at home and his tirade towards his critics, Duterte popularity has soared.
Surveys have shown a majority of Filipinos overwhelmingly support the charismatic Duterte and his crime policies, accepting his argument that drastic action is required to stop the Philippines from becoming a narco-state.
A fresh survey by the Social Weather Stations showed 77 percent of Filipinos were ‘satisfied’ with his performance. Duterte communications minister has thanked Filipinos for supporting president’s drug war and his way to take on his detractors.
Because of this mass support, perhaps, he is following his foreign policy fearlessly and which will take Philippines towards economic prosperity. Undoubtedly, he has upended the country’s diplomatic stance and antagonized its historic allies. But he has won many friends too.