I’m not ‘pro-any country’
SAN FERNANDO CITY—She is “not pro-any country at all.”
Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday clapped back at Malacañang for referring to her as “pro-China” following her criticisms of the Marcos administration’s handling of the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China.
“Calling me ‘pro-China’ has been their longtime narrative. I’m not ‘pro-any country’ at all. What I am saying here is that we need to develop, maintain and level up our relations with all countries,” Duterte told reporters.
“He (President Marcos) should answer my question first: Where is the independent foreign policy that is required by the Constitution? Where is it right now? Explain to the Filipino people how you are going to implement your independent foreign policy,” she said.
The Vice President, in remarks before supporters in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday had called out Mr. Marcos for “leaning” toward the United States and allowing the latter to deploy its missiles to the country.
Adversary
The problems with China, Duterte said, should not sway the Philippines to side with the United States.
“You stand on your own and face China with regard to your issues in the West Philippine Sea,” she said. “You don’t lean towards another superpower and say: ‘Please, help me because they are bullying me.’”
“Why would you side with a superpower who has been an adversary of the nation that you are having problems with?” she added.
