Duterte not campaigning for Trump, says Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte was not campaigning for US President Donald Trump when he said the American leader deserved to be reelected when he agreed with the Philippines' abrogation of Visiting Forces Agreement between the two countries.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte's statement was borne out of an appreciation of Trump’s “judicious” reaction to the Philippines’ decision to terminate the VFA.

“He is expressing his sentiment about it, not necessary campaigning,” Panelo told reporters when asked if Duterte will endorse Trump to Filipinos residing in the US. 

Trump is seeking another four-year term in the November 2020 presidential election.

“He explains it. Sabi niya given the character of the man pagdating sa mga national interest issues, tumatayo siya. Prinsipyadong tao," Panelo said.

Trump told a news conference at the White House on February 12 he would not mind if the Philippines ends the VFA because “it will save a lot of money.”

The US leader has frequently expressed a desire to bring US military forces home from decades-long deployments abroad and has strong-armed some allies into paying more for the right to US defense.

He also said the US had helped the Philippines defeat Islamic State militants during the Marawi siege in 2017.

Panelo said the Philippine government appreciated the US’ assistance to anti-terrorism efforts even as he stressed Manila’s desire to strengthen its defense capabilities.

“Reliance on another country to defend our motherland from whoever desires to threaten our territorial integrity as well as to assault our sovereignty will only further weaken and stagnate our already limited resources,” the Palace official said. —NB, GMA News