Duterte tells Obama 'you can go to hell' in new tirade

[DonViejo]

Source: Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told his U.S. ally Barack Obama "you can go to hell" in a speech Tuesday that was his latest tirade against the U.S. over its criticism of his deadly anti-drug campaign.

He also lashed out anew at the European Union, saying the 28-nation bloc, which has also criticized his brutal crackdown, "better choose purgatory, hell is filled up."

Duterte, who took office in June, has been hypersensitive to criticism over his crackdown, which has left more than an estimated 3,000 suspected drug dealers and pushers dead in just three months, alarming the United Nations, the E.U., the U.S. and human rights watchdogs.

The tough-talking former city mayor, who describes himself as a left-leaning leader, has had an uneasy relationship with the U.S. and with Obama and has declared intentions to bolster relations with China and Russia as he revamps the country's foreign policy that has long leaned on Washington.

-snip-

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/719a579d1e394e3ba5e8499667e60a3b/us-philippine-drills-open-uncertainty-are-they-last

[beachbum bob]

1. time to cut aid off the Philipines for starters

[still_one]

3. While emotionally satisfying, it might not be the prudent course

http://us-foreign-aid.insidegov.com/q/139/1590/How-much-money-does-the-U-S-give-to-Philippines

[whatthehey]

8. 160MM non-military in a budget of about 70B

What's that, 0.23%? The amount of dependency foreign aid recipients have on the US is often far smaller than people think. If Duterte really dislikes the US so much, losing less than a quarter of 1% of his spending budget is hardly likely to keep him cosy.

[beachbum bob]

10. no reason to keep sending money then is there?

[whatthehey]

14. We send aid for our own reasons, but it is of little practical local necessity in this case yes.

I'm sure it could be stopped. But expecting that to do anything is like that weird old aunt who sends you a $25 postal order every Christmas expecting it to bring you to heel and phone her every week if she stops.

[still_one]

25. we also utilizes bases in the Philippines, so there is a strategic reason also

[former9thward]

43. Five Bases.

The U.S. military is moving into these 5 bases in the Philippines

Antonio Bautista Air Base. Located near the capital of the island province of Palawan, which is strategically located near the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Basa Air Base. Located about 40 miles northwest of the Philippines' capital, Manila, the air base was originally constructed by the U.S. Army Air Corps before the Second World War.

Fort Magsaysay. Located on the northern Island of Luzon, Fort Magsaysay is the largest military installation in the Philippines, and is one of the primary training areas of the Philippine Army.

Lumbia Air Base. Located on the southern island of Mindanao, the air base is connected to a civilian airport. Local media reports say construction of a new U.S. facility will begin soon.

Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base. Located on Mactan Island of the coast of Cebu in the central Philippines. It was originally built by the U.S. Air Force before the American pullout in the early 1990s.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2016/03/21/us-plans-use-five-new-bases-philippines/82072138/

[MADem]

48. There was Cubi Point (Naval aviation) and Subic Bay, the port which is now an international shipping

facility. They were quite extensive and there was a large dependent population there as well.

US Naval vessels have been calling at the latter, albeit briefly.

We also had a comm station at San Miguel, IIRC.

It will be a long time, if ever, that we see dependents assigned to PI. For the time being, these are going to be deployment and training facilities, with short or rotational tours.

[Kablooie]

5. Duarte has been talking about strengthening relations with China.

So reducing aid might just speed that up.

With all the conflict over the South China Sea he may be saying, if you can't beat 'em join 'em.

[cstanleytech]

6. There isnt much aid to them these days, heck they dont even make the top 20 list for countries

that the US provides aid to now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid#Recipients

On the flip side I think instead its simply time to let them find their own way and if they want to buddy up to Russia or China then they should be free to do so, its not like we have any territory in the region and its not like trade will stop as that will still continue regardless.

[MADem]

24. China will be on them in a flash if that happens.

We have to look PAST this asshole.

Poor Phillipines. I can't imagine how this guy got so "popular."

[cstanleytech]

40. Probably the same reason people like Hitler, Bush Jr, Trump and other similar types have

risen to power by using and exploiting the FUD potential among the population.

[rumdude]

2. this guy is a buffoon

[Coventina]

4. man, talk about biting the hand that feeds you!

[jamzrockz]

7. More like

Biting the hand that force feeds you. Either way, he shouldn't be talking like that, its hard for anyone to support a person who is that bombastic. It seems like the marriage is no longer working for her and I think he has every right to ask for a divorce. She must think China is a better suitor.

[Coventina]

11. It's hard for anyone to support someone who compares himself favorably to Hitler.

I think we need to break ties with them, yesterday.

[jamzrockz]

17. Doubt that would happen

I foresee some form of internal unrest and best case scenario would be to increase the payment in the hope that we keep our base in that very important part of the world. I don't see American ceding Philippines to China without a fight.

[safeinOhio]

23. Spend the $ on

arming the new rebels.

[Igel]

28. If we dismiss and hold all those who speak like this,

then a wide range of others get to be dealt with in the same way.

Leaders in Bolivia and Venezuela, in Zimbabwe, all over the place. A lot of anti-US talk that many DUers like is just xenophobia and demagoguery. Their chauvinism happens to look "progressive" to many, given the odd tint to our lenses. In other words, since their authoritarianism is couched in anti-imperialist language it's been widely regarded favorably.

Duterte dares to make it personal by insulting Obama, not just the US. He's goring our ox; when folk like him said nasty things about Bush II, we were all on board, esp. if those killed weren't drug dealers/users but price gougers.

[whatthehey]

9. Not much feeding going on.

[Coventina]

13. I meant it figuratively. We have defense ties to them, which should be cut.

We are also their largest investor.

I think we should pull that as well.

[whatthehey]

16. We have a trade deficit with them

Which isn't going to improve with Duterte's move to buying Russian military gear, and the defensive ties right now are helping the US with its South China Sea show of strength more than it is helping defend them from...whoever we pretend is threatening them.

[Coventina]

18. Well OK then, all more the more reason to pull whatever we have out and let them go their merry way.

[whatthehey]

19. Would probably be sensible, but again

our aid is usually to aid US priorities and our exporters like customers. Geopolitics is not handled like a middle school popularity contest.

[Coventina]

20. I think when the leader of a foreign country expresses a desire to kill millions of people

there should be real consequences.

I don't consider that "middle school" I consider that learning from history.

[Democat]

12. What if it turns out he's on drugs?

Right wing politicians usually yell the loudest about their own problems.

[mountain grammy]

15. This man is a despot.

[Third Doctor]

21. This guy is unhinged.

[geek tragedy]

22. elections have consequences.

his people voted to become a colony of China and a dystopian murder state

[pampango]

47. To be fair he got 39% of the vote but won due to the number of candidates.

I don't wish becoming "a colony of China and a dystopian murder state" on the 61% who did not vote for him.

[SFnomad]

26. Are the Regressives cheering Duterte on? n/t

[freebrew]

27. I'll bet...

you think this guy is hoping for a Dump win?

It's almost like he's emulating the guy. (you guess)

[Blue_Tires]

29. That's no president, that's just a mere showman

Last edited Tue Oct 4, 2016, 12:36 PM - Edit history (1)

Plays all nice and buddy-buddy when Obama is there, but grows his balls big after he leaves...

[radical noodle]

30. This is the kind of thing we'd see

with a President Trump. They have a crazy.

[truthisfreedom]

31. Must be feeling a little lack of attention during our election period.

Maybe Obama can think of something that will make him feel special.

[no_hypocrisy]

32. Even Hugo Chavez knew when to shut up.

[TomCADem]

33. This Is Good News! Shows We Are Winning Fight on TPP!

Since TPP going down in flames, and the U.S's role in the Pacific Rim diminishes, this will force other Pacific Rim nations to look toward China for leadership. So, it is smart move all around for Philippines to turn to China, and for the U.S. not to be involved in ruinous trade relationships. Its a win-win.

[BlueMTexpat]

34. Duterte is behaving exactly as Trump would.

He is a petty tyrant. It's not a pretty picture, but it is a preview of what is in for the world in the unlikely event of a Trump win.

I weep for the Philippines - a nation of very lovely people who do not deserve to have a leader like this.

[ansible]

35. Most filipinos support him

[BlueMTexpat]

36. They may support his policies

in the drug war. But those I know personally have qualms about the legality of the most recent police actions and are extremely embarrassed by his rhetoric.

[dembotoz]

37. the guy is learning that folks actually listen to him

perhaps we need a way for him to save face.

[mrmpa]

38. He's the Filipino version of Trump...n/t

[DinahMoeHum]

41. Coming from a dildo like Duterte. . .

. . .that remark is practically a compliment to Obama.

[4lbs]

42. Dude's like Trump. A blathering idiot that talks tough, but when confronted, backs down like

a small-handed weasel.

He said something similar about a month ago, and then when Obama canceled a meeting with him, the guy began backtracking saying he was misunderstood.

He's like that crazy uncle who is given twenty bucks, gets drunk and screams garbage.

[mahina]

44. When he takes on human trafficking and child sex worker exploitation, I'm all ears. Lots of amazing

Work has been happening with marine conservation and indigenous environmental movements in the Philippines prior to this murderer.

I won't name names but hold them in light and hope they can endure.

[mahina]

45. What does this get him?