By Genalyn Kabiling

The Philippines may tap Russia and China for assistance in battling terrorism and other transnational crimes amid the imminent termination of a military pact with the United States, a Palace official said Monday.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said President Rodrigo Duterte recently mentioned enhancing the country’s ties, including defense cooperation with Russia and China, while deploring the United States’ alleged disrespect of the country’s sovereignty.

“Based on the statement of the President when he was interviewed by the Russian press, he did say that we can go to Russia, we can go to China for assistance in battling these terrorists and other issues that arise from international terrorists,” he said in an interview over ANC’s Headstart program.

Unlike the problematic ties with the United States, Andanar pointed out that the country enjoys friendly relations with Russia and China. “We also don’t have any belligerent history with Russia and with China.”

He also said the President has pursued an independent foreign policy while exploring closer ties with “other superpowers.”

“This is a matter of choice and this is the prerogative of the President. Now, if he wants to open our country to being friends with other superpowers like the People’s Republic of China and Russia, then so be it.”

President Duterte earlier threatened to terminate the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States following the cancellation of the visa of former police chief and now senator Ronald dela Rosa. He has given the U.S. government a month to correct the visa situation of Dela Rosa.

The PH-U.S. agreement, implemented since 1999, governs the movement of U.S. vessels, aircraft, and troops visiting the country. It includes certain provisions on criminal jurisdictions of American personnel accused of a crime in the country.

According to Andanar, the President’s move should serve as a sign that the United States must respect the country’s sovereignty.

“It’s really a matter of the Philippines sending a message to the United States that we are not succumbing to their neocolonialism way of treating the Philippines, that we are no longer a colony of the United States and they should respect our sovereignty, they should respect our Constitutions, our laws,” he said.

“The basis for this is the continuous disrespect on our sovereignty and our judicial system. The continuous denial on our independence to prosecute – be that private citizens or government official – that is the basis. Now, the Visiting Forces Agreement is a treaty that is based on mutual trust and respect. Now, if there is no longer a respect on the country that you have a deal or a treaty with, then there is a problem there.”

He said the President was “very serious” when he warned about the cancellation of the VFA.

“Based on the statements of President Duterte, he is giving the American government one month to correct its actions on Senator Bato Dela Rosa. So, we are observing and we are waiting for the decision of the United States and after that, we shall cross the bridge when we get there,” Andanar said.

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