Duterte says Philippines could join sea
exercises with Japan, again vents anger at U.S.
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[October 27, 2016]
By Minami Funakoshi
YOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) - Philippine
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday his country could join naval
exercises with Japan, but repeated there would be no more war games with
long-time ally the United States and again gave vent to his anger
against Washington.
Duterte also said he had explained to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
in talks on Wednesday just why he resented the United States,
reiterating that Washington treated the Philippines like "dogs on a
leash" and lectured about human rights in connection with his domestic
campaign against drugs.
The Philippine leader's visit to Japan coincides with jitters about his
foreign policy after weeks of verbal attacks on the United States,
including threats to end military agreements, and overtures towards
China.
Duterte last week announced in China his "separation" from the United
States, but then insisted ties were not being severed and that he was
merely pursuing an independent foreign policy.
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"Joint exercise with Japan in general terms is not a problem. Stationing
of Japanese troops was not discussed and with the Americans, it's
problematic," Duterte told reporters one day after saying he wanted
foreign troops out of his country "maybe in the next two years".
"I don't want to embarrass my defense secretary but the exercises with
the Americans will be the last," he said.
Duterte, on the final day of a three-day visit to Japan, made the
comments after watching Japan Coast Guard activities in the port of
Yokohama, near Tokyo.
Duterte's recent comments pose a headache for Abe, who has tightened
ties with Washington while building closer security relations with
Manila and other Southeast Asian countries as a counter-weight to a
rising China, which has maritime feuds with several countries in the
region including Japan.
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![](../images/102716PICS/news_r33.jpg)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C) speaks to the media after
his inspection at Japan Coast Guard base in Yokohama, south of
Tokyo, Japan October 27, 2016. REUTERS/Issei Kato
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In their Wednesday talks, Duterte and Abe agreed on the importance
of settling maritime disputes peacefully.
Duterte said he had explained to Abe why he was angry with the
United States.
"I had told the prime minister some of my sentiments against the
Americans. They are treating us like dogs on a leash," he said. "The
prime minister understands that."
Also on Thursday, Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez told
Reuters his country was still a good place for foreign investment
and that the Philippines would welcome investment from the United
States though it was particularly interested in trade agreements
with Asian neighbors.
A scheduled call by Duterte on Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, was
canceled following the death on Thursday of Akihito's 100-year-old
uncle, Prince Mikasa.
(Additional reporting by Manuel Mogato in Manila; writing by Linda
Sieg; editing by Nick Macfie)
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