Yasay on PHL's shift in foreign policy: 'America has failed us'

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte is pursuing an independent foreign policy because "America has failed us."

In a statement, Yasay said this is the core message that Duterte is trying to convey "to the American people and the world" through his recent statements critical to the US.

"This has also compelled him to realign our foreign policy towards an independent track in pursuing the overriding national interest and in upholding and protecting our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Yasay said.

Duterte, controversial for his abrasive commentaries against world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, has openly expressed his opposition to the yearly war games between Filipino and American soldiers.

In his statement, Yasay said Duterte was attempting to break away from the "shackling dependency" of the Philippines on the US.

To protect the Philippines from internal and external security threats, Yasay said the Duterte administration needs to put an end to the "nation's subservience to United States' interests."

"It has been 70 years ago since America acknowledged the hard fought independence of its only colony in Asia after it arrogated our victory in the struggle for freedom from 400 years of Spanish domination," Yasay said.

"And yet, after proclaiming in July 4, 1946 that the Filipinos had been adequately trained for self determination and governance, the United States held on to invisible chains that reined us in towards dependency and submission as little brown brothers not capable of true independence and freedom," he added.

Yasay did acknowledge the assistance extended by the US to the Philippines over the years. "There are many significant countless things that we will be forever grateful to America for," he said.

Yasay, however, lamented that the US has no definite commitment about coming to the aid of the Philippines when it faces international aggression.

"The stark reality is that even in protecting our territorial boundaries and the exclusive use of our maritime entitlements in the South China Sea, our defensive forces remain grossly incapable in meeting the security threats that we face from potential foes, not to mention their stagnating impact on our development," he said.

"Worse is that our only ally could not give us the assurance that in taking a hard line towards the enforcement of our sovereignty rights under international law, it will promptly come to our defense under our existing military treaty and agreements," he added.

"Carrot and stick" policy

Yasay described the US approach in its relationship with the Philippines as a "carrot and stick policy" or rewards and punishment strategy. 

The Foreign Affairs secretary claimed that this policy "has been effectively used all through the long years since our independence to force Filipinos into submission to American demands and interests."

"This is what PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] is now trying to liberate us from," Yasay said.

The Philippines became an American colony when Spain ceded the Philippines to the US under the Treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898. The Philippines gained independence from the US under the Treaty of Manila, signed on July 4, 1946.

Serious challenges

Yasay said the Philippines continues to face "serious concerns and challenges with the Chinese as we try to engage them in bilateral talks towards peacefully settling our disputes in accordance with the legal and diplomatic process under international law."

"Our past mistakes in fostering and strengthening our friendship with our white big brother will be instructive for this purpose. We will never allow China or any other nation to bully us or deal with Philippine interests under another carrot and stick policy," Yasay said.

For now, Duterte wants to realign Philippine foreign policy, considering the current state of the country's relationship with the US and other allies, he said.

Yasay said Duterte's remark poses serious questions to American leaders and policy shapers. "Are they willing to change their tack in dealing with us to be in sync with geopolitical realities? Does it value our special friendship to save and strengthen it?" Yasay asked.

"Or would it instead choose to ignore our urgent pleas and interject alleged human rights violations and concerns as we address our pressing domestic problems based on our urgent needs and priorities to get what they want?" the Secretary asked.

The US embassy has yet to comment on Yasay's statement, but Molly Koscina, its press attaché, had earlier told GMA News that the US continues to consider the Philippines as an important ally.

"Our relationship with the Philippines is broad and our alliance is one of the most enduring and important relationships in the Asia Pacific region," she said. —KBK, GMA News