Tag Archives: Rodrigo Duterte

U.S. And Philippine Militaries Will Increase Security Cooperation in 2019

U.S. And Philippine Militaries Will Increase Security Cooperation in 2019

Admiral Philip Davidson, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (Indo-PACOM), and General Carlito Galvez, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines signed agreements on security cooperation activities for 2019 at this year’s Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board. U.S. embassy photo.

U.S. and Philippine military leaders pledged increased cooperation and collaboration in 2019 despite past anti-American rhetoric from the Pacific nation’s president and his stated desire to foster closer ties with China.

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Analysis: Trump, Duterte and the Future of Philippines

Analysis: Trump, Duterte and the Future of Philippines

President-elect Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

President-elect Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

With an upset win President-elect Donald Trump has an opportunity to positively reset deteriorating U.S.-Philippines relations. The news of his victory was received with much elation by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. While the two executives may appear to be birds of a feather—certainly in their personalities, tactical use of strong language and statements of extreme policy—there are key differences that bring clear limits to the honeymoon period. Read More

PACOM CO Harris: No Anticipated Changes to U.S.-Philippines Military Relationship

PACOM CO Harris: No Anticipated Changes to U.S.-Philippines Military Relationship

U.S. Pacific Command commander Adm. Harry Harris on Feb. 25, 2016 addressing reporters in the Pentagon. DoD News Image

U.S. Pacific Command commander Adm. Harry Harris on Feb. 25, 2016 addressing reporters in the Pentagon. DoD News Image

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The head of U.S. forces in the Pacific has not received any official word from Manila to change its defense relationship with the Philippines – despite months of statements to the contrary from firebrand President Rodrigo Duterte. Read More

Philippine President Duterte: ‘Serving Notice Now’ to Cancel Future Military Exercises with U.S.

Philippine President Duterte: ‘Serving Notice Now’ to Cancel Future Military Exercises with U.S.

Philippine and U.S. Marines provide supporting fire with U.S. Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles to simulate suppressing enemy forces during a mechanized assault as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 15 at Naval Education Training Command, Zambales, Luzon, Philippines in 2015. US Marine Corps Photo

Philippine and U.S. Marines provide supporting fire with U.S. Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles to simulate suppressing enemy forces during a mechanized assault as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 15 at Naval Education Training Command, Zambales, Luzon, Philippines in 2015. US Marine Corps Photo

The controversial president of the Philippines said his country will stop military exercises with the U.S., according to local press reports. Read More

Analysis: What’s Next for Manila Following South China Sea Ruling?

Analysis: What’s Next for Manila Following South China Sea Ruling?

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.

The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.

The long-awaited tribunal ruling on China’s territory grab of the Western Philippine Sea finally emerged on July 12. As expected it was a mostly clean sweep for the Philippines government—judging that the claims under the PRC’s Nine-Dash Line vision were invalid, and its current activities of island reclaiming and resource grabbing were both illegal and harmful to the environment. Read More