President Rodrigo Duterte has clarified that he is not breaking away from the Philippines’ old ally United States.
”The basic question of the Filipinos – I know what’s in their mind, why is Duterte breaking away from the United States? No, I am not breaking away,” Duterte said in an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV) before he left for a four-day state visit in China.
President Duterte said he just want to be friendly with other countries including Asian neighbor China.
”I just want to be friendly with anybody. You do not constrain, do not restrain me from doing business with China,” he said.
The Filipino leader said he was sincere in seeking stronger alliance with China as well as with Russia, which he might also visit within this year.
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