Philippine leader recalls decision to void US security pact

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reversed his termination of a key defense pact with the United States that allows large-scale combat exercises between U.S. and Philippine forces.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced Duterte’s decision at a joint meeting with reporters Friday with his visiting U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, in Manila.

Another Philippine official earlier told The Associated Press that Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. would hand over a document to Austin about Duterte’s decision to keep the Visiting Forces Agreement in a separate meeting later Friday.

“The president decided to recall or retract the termination letter for the VFA,” Lorenzana said. “We are back on track.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/philippines-8b619ba37df6817c75ad6e41e262d369

[Glorfindel]

1. Oh, goody. They're going to want money

Plus protection from the evil Chinese in the South China Sea.

[TomCADem]

3. China and the Philippines' battle over disputed territories in the South China Sea - BBC News

This is because Duterte's effort to cozy up to China backfired. Rather then build a relationship with China by distancing himself from the United States, a long time Philippines ally, China saw this as a sign of weakness and started staking claims to the territorial waters around Philippines:

This is sort of like China being increasingly aggressive toward Taiwan and other countries. China could have taken advantage of the Trump years by portraying itself as a defender against US aggression, but instead it saw Trump's absence from the Pacific theater as an invitation to throw its weight around. Thus, you see Duterte having to back pedal toward the United States.

In contrast, you see how Biden is expertly handling allies. Rather then alienating or extorting them, the United States is acting like a partner. Of course, in Australia, you have Rubert Murdoch trying to generate anti-US sentiment through his media property Sky News even though Biden has been respectful of Australia unlike Trump.

[soryang]

5. they're not territorial claims

they are maritime claims to exclusive economic zones.

[Judi Lynn]

2. This news just might push trump to throw a fit, seeing Duterte reverse course

and try to build a relationship with Biden.



Give him a hamberder before he swallows his tongue.

[PortTack]

4. He wants to stay in power...the Chinese would throw him in the sea