Top American diplomat says US remains strong Philippine ally

From InterAksyon (Oct 24): Top American diplomat says US remains strong Philippine ally

The most senior US diplomat for Asia said on Monday that the United States remains a "steady and trusted" partner of the Philippines, but was concerned about recent controversial statements made by President Rodrigo Duterte.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel also said that while the United States supports Manila's "effort against the scourge of drugs", Washington was concerned over the loss of lives, which is "not a positive trend" and is "bad for business as well".

Russel made the comments to reporters in Manila after a meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.

His arrival in the country comes amid confusion over the status of ties between the two long-time allies, after President Rodrigo Duterte remarked at a Beijing business forum last Thursday there would be a "separation" from America, militarily and  economically. He later clarified this, on arriving in Manila Friday, to mean simply that he would proceed with his thrust for an independent foreign policy, and did not mean a "severing" of ties from the US.

The Russel visit is part of a three-nation swing through Southeast Asia that also includes Thailand and Cambodia, the US State Department announced on its website.

The United States is one of the Philippine's largest trading partners and its closest security ally for about 70 years.

Russel was to meet with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, U.S. embassy press attache Molly Koscina told Reuters earlier, without giving details about issues to be discussed.

A Philippine foreign affairs official said Russel and Yasay will discuss the overall bilateral relations of the two allies following Duterte's "separation" statement in China last week.

"The US wants a clarification from the Philippines and what direction the alliance will take," the official told Reuters.

"I think the US is confused. It is getting mixed signals from Manila," the Philippine official said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Russel is expected to stay in Manila until Tuesday to meet with government officials and have lunch with Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) participants, before leaving for Thailand.

He will be in Thailand until Wednesday to convey his condolences on the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and meet with Thai officials to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues.

From Thailand, he will fly to Cambodia to meet with government and opposition party officials, civil society organizations, and address a group of YSEALI members.

 http://www.interaksyon.com/article/133627/top-american-diplomat-says-us-remains-strong-philippine-ally