The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Manila / AFP
After proposing a jet-ski mission to defend remote islands against China, daring the United States to sever ties and joking about burning Singapore’s flag, Rodrigo Duterte is set for a wild foreign policy ride as the next Philippine president.
The firebrand politician stormed to victory in national elections this week using an incendiary brand of populism and nationalism that his aides insist he will moderate once he has the keys to the presidential palace on June 30.
The 71-year-old offered no apologies when asked by AFP on election night for a message to members of the international diplomatic community who may be concerned.
“It is not to contribute to the comfort of other nations. I have to make the Filipino comfortable first before I give you comfort, outside my country,†he said.
Duterte, the long-time mayor of southern Davao city, thrilled his supporters but outraged his critics with a series of diplomatic firebombs on the campaign trail.
While his insults caused gasps in various capitals, his foray into a delicate maritime dispute with China—involving many nations but with the Philippines a key player—may have the most far-reaching impact.
Playing to nationalist sentiment, Duterte vowed to ride a jet ski to plant a Philippine flag on remote South China Sea islands, where Beijing is accused of using bully-boy tactics to intimidate smaller nations with rival claims.
But he also signalled a potentially signficant reversal of government policy, saying he would be prepared to hold direct talks with China on the issue—potentially shattering the united front of claimant nations backed by the United States.
“By the Philippines breaking ranks over this issue, it might affect… efforts to fend off China’s intrusion. There is a need to be united over this issue,†said Faisal Syam Hazis, head of the Centre for Asia Studies at the National University of Malaysia.
Insults fly
Other foreign policy stumbles sprang from Duterte’s no-holds-barred election pitch. At one rally he recounted how he had personally killed inmates who had staged a 1989 Davao prison riot. But he also said that in the aftermath of the riot he discovered that an Australian missionary had been raped and murdered.
“I was mad she was raped. But she was so beautiful. I thought: ‘The mayor should have been first’,†said Duterte, who on the campaign trail also repeatedly boasted about his mistresses and sexual prowess.
The Australian and US ambassadors criticised the comments, triggering a furious reaction from the contender, who told them not to interfere and raised the prospect of cutting diplomatic ties.