Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate (INQUIRER PHOTO)
The Makabayan bloc on Thursday lauded the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte terminating the Philippines’ joint military exercises with the United States.
In a press briefing, the militant lawmakers said it was about time the country took a more independent foreign policy and broke away from the United States, at the same time strengthened its ties with other global powers like Russia and China.
READ: 2016 PH-US war games will be the last–Duterte
“Foreign policy interest ng Pilipinas ang pangunahing konsiderasyon dito. Isang siglo na tayong may relasyon sa US kung saan hindi interes ng Pilipinas at Pilipino ang nangingibabaw. Nangungulelat tayo sa Asya Pasipiko. Overtaken na tayo ng Vietnam, sunod-sunuran sa US. Parang kolonya pa rin nila tayo hanggang ngayon,” said Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate.
Zarate also congratulated Duterte for considering ties with China and Russia.
“We have to welcome this opening of relations with Russia and China. Give credit where it is due. We have to congratulate this administration for crafting this kind of foreign policy,” Zarate said
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio also lamented Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay’s move downplaying Duterte’s clear statement of becoming independent from the United States.
“Mas malaking daigdig ang nabubuksan natin na tila pinatutunguhan ni Presidente Duterte. Proposals pa lang ’yan. Hintayin natin ma-translate into actual policy. Unfortunately, ilan sa mga official ng Malacañang ay gustong i-minimize ang actual na sinabi ni Pangulo,” Tinio said.
Duterte earlier said he wanted US troops out of Mindanao. The Philippines has a defense agreement with the US that increases the rotational presence of US troops here. The US also conducts joint military exercises with the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the President said he would like to strengthen ties and purchase firearms from China and Russia, known to be competitors of US for global power.
RELATED STORIES
Duterte seeks alliances with China and Russia
Duterte: American troops must leave Mindanao