Philippine Politics

Even MaxDefense's Facebook page posted that report...

Well, if Russia mentioned selling AK-101/102 assault rifles (which are compatible with the 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition used by the AFP) and RPG-7s, that would sound plausible. I'm skeptical about Russia selling more advanced weapons, however. Plus, I'm not sure the Russians would allow use of their higher-end weapons against the Chinese (unless they're really pissed off about China reverse-engineering their military products). Not to mention the whole, "It'll mess with the armed forces' logistics train" shtick.

Anyway, here's something for Duterte to watch and think about (among many others) before pursuing investments from the Chinese:

God, I don't want to see Chinese-funded infra projects here that get halted midway because the funds dried up. And that won't be the first time that's happened. IIRC, during the term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, that scenario happened with the NorthRail project (part of her "Strong Republic Transit System").

Only a few are given licensed approval such as the Hip and the GAZ armored car.

Not to mention the ZTE controversy. ZTE was a Chinese company.

Back to the weapons deal, the Philippines if it gets Russian arms, should study the examples of Indonesia and Venezuela. Both have American arms earlier, but later bought Russian equipment (though in the case of the former, under Sukarno, they have Soviet arms).

One question: are Duterte's tactics actually making real progress in curbing the Philippine's drug problems?

Yep. A lot of addicts surrendered, mostly due to the man's reputation.

@general_tiu: I remember an old parody video about it that was once on YouTube called "NBN-ZTE Zombies." Sadly, said video has since been taken down.

Anyway, if America's weapons are too expensive, but still prefer something NATO-compatible, the armed forces can still go for Israeli, South Korean or even Japanese weapons systems. And there might be a few European defense companies that might be interested as well, if their presence at this year's ADAS is any indication.

I hope the current defense secretary still continues the AFP's modernization program regardless of Duterte's flip-flopping announcements... And this news about the Hanwha defense company ending its partnership with Thales (which may or may not affect the new frigates for the Philippine Navy).

Asked in the US politics thread and didn't get an answer: what's Duterte's beef with the US? Does he just hate them on principle or is there an actual slight behind it?

One we criticized his Human Rights record, which made him throw a temper tantrum. Two he's a commie, so naturally he loves China. Three he lives on Mindanao, which saw the worse fighting during the US occupation of the Philippines,and the area has much less love for the US than say Metro Manila, though he may just be exploiting this to lower the people of the country's opinion of the US, which was when last polled in the 90's. And forth he's almost certainly on the payroll of ether Chinese intelligence or Chinese business men.

Duterte is a lot of things, but communist ain't one of them (he is from a center-left / left-wing populist party, and that party does not strike me as the communist type, judging by their general positions).

edited 13th Oct '16 4:13:00 PM by Quag15

Not sure on him being under Beijing's nose. He certainly wants to set an independent foreign policy.

Those the critics do say he needs to do the same with China.

And another thing, he's a socialist. Came out of his mouth.

Would "like Hugo Chavez without the economic policy" be a fair description?

edited 13th Oct '16 8:48:45 PM by Elle

Sounds like he's a nationalist with no sense of realism.

This is a guy who thought he could solve a country's drug problem in six months by declaring open season on drug dealers. Didn't he recently publicly admit that he underestimated the problem and that it would take longer than six months?

He's very bad in terms of having a sound foreign/economic policy.

He did mention that there won't be further joint exercises with the US military under his watch, but he'll honor any agreements made with them before.

@Elle: Here's a couple of columns from Ramon Tulfo that explain in detail why Duterte hates the US:

• http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/815398/martial-law-at-the-bureau-of-customs

• http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/821447/no-need-to-scrap-edca

edited 14th Oct '16 8:12:18 AM by IncognitoNinja

I get the first column. The second is wilfully blind.

About the second one. Yeah no.

We have drug problems in Brazil, and as much a sizable chunk of our population would like to do away with frivolities like due process and human rights, we're not declaring, at least legally, anyone suspected of being involved in drug trade to be fair game.

Duterte also wants Washington to apologize for the atrocities done during the 1900 when they administered the country after Spain gave it up.

He cited their apologies to the Hawaiians, native Americans and the Japanese community as precedents.

edited 14th Oct '16 11:38:21 AM by Ominae

Weirdly he's not asking Shinzo Abe to apologize for the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II.

Well, Ramon Tulfo is said to personally know Duterte, so some bias is in play. That hasn't stopped the columnist from warning Duterte against breaking off ties with the US and the rest of the West, though.

@Terminus and Angelox: OK, so let's say that the current Philippine government did do its drug war more properly (with due process and respect for human rights) instead of the "open season" method Duterte is currently advocating. Would US intelligence/DEA still help in the Philippine drug war if the masterminds happen to be Chinese?

@Entropy: If Duterte decides to bring that issue up, the Japanese might get second thoughts about investing in the Philippines, much less help with the capability upgrades for the coast guard and armed forces. (And...they might just cancel local licenses to broadcast Anime and export Manga/Anime-related goods to the PH.) I won't be surprised if those economic packages to the PH would be considered Japan's way of atoning for World War II. I just hope that Duterte's not stupid enough to be "bribed" by the Chinese to bring up that issue when he visits Japan, but you never know...

And while on the topic of PH-Japanese relations...man, if only Aquino was brave enough to arrange a meeting between the surviving "comfort women" and the Japanese Emperor Akihito when His Majesty visited last year. Aquino wasted that golden opportunity to give a sense of closure for both sides and move forward...

He was already stupid enough to meet with the Chinese first and reschedule the meeting with the Japanese to accommodate the Chinese...even though the meeting with Japan was already arranged way before they thought of going to China in the first place.

edited 14th Oct '16 9:47:55 PM by entropy13

@entropy

- IMO the Japanese see Article 9 with the San Francisco Treaty and the OD As given to us as their means of atonement.

What is the main focus of the Philippines's relationship with Japan? Certain types of trade? How important is the relationship?

edited 14th Oct '16 11:10:59 PM by editerguy

Economic mostly. They're giving us more OD As via JICA to help plan out strategies to solve the traffic problem.

They're also assisting the local coast guard via new ships so that the old ones can be retired if needed.

Military is a recent one. It's still being debated if JSDF can be stationed here. Never mind the WWII debates coming up.

@entropy: If there's an opportunity for the Chinese to "bribe/influence" Duterte into bringing that issue up when he visits Japan (if they believe funding Duterte's presidential campaign kitty wasn't enough), I'm pretty sure that moment will be in that meeting with the Chinese.

Yes, it is stupid enough that Duterte wants to meet with the Chinese first. I only can hope that his stupidity doesn't go any further...because it's ultimately the citizenry (especially those who have no means to leave the country) who will either benefit or get screwed over by Duterte's decisions.

God, what I wouldn't give to have more sane men in the government right now... It feels like this will add more to that "Damnable Year" thing...

edited 15th Oct '16 1:08:56 AM by IncognitoNinja