US Amb describing Duterte: "I think he's very smart, very knowledgeable and I think he cares very deeply about what’s happening to his country."

Amidst the Issue of island grabbing and fortification of China in the Spratly’s, there is one very sure scenario that is already on deck- the Philippine-United States Mutual Defense treaty.

Conversations and debates has hounded the nation as to how we can go about our relationship with China and the rest of the claimants in the disputed South China Sea, particularly the track or path President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has chosen for the country. It might be remembered that the past administration of Benigno Aquino chose to meet China head on by filing and eventually winning an arbitral award in Hague.

An interesting sideline id the President’s open and public speeches were he has made known his grievances as against the country’s  strongest ally- the US.   *

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim (photo credit to owner)

United States  Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim now serving as such for more than a year had a very interesting story about the President Duterte, how is he as the Philippine leader and how he goes about the Philippine –US relationship.

The Ambassador in a GMA interview was asked which persona of the President he likes more- the President in public or in private.

"I prefer his private. I think President Duterte is a very compelling, interesting, strong leader," he said. "He remains a very popular leader so we have to give him credit for having that leadership."

Kim said he "enjoyed" his private meetings with the president. "I think he's very smart, very knowledgeable and I think he cares very deeply about what’s happening to his country."

"And (more) importantly for me, I think he values Philippine-US relationship. I think he wants to make sure the alliance is strong," he pointed out.

Prior to the Ambassador taking the assignment of the Philippines, Duterte has been very critical of the United States even delving into historical facts regarding the atrocities the US has done to the country- historical fact that has long been forgotten by the country.

Kim has cited last year’s 31st ASEAN  (Association of Southeast Asian Nations ) Summit in Manila were the meeting between President Duterte and US President Donald Trump, the US Ambassador said the two leaders had a strong connection in terms of pressing issues they think were in need of attention.  *

"They seemed to get along very well, I think on a personal level, but also on issues," he said.

"They have a very strong agreement, for example, on the need to focus on counter-terrorism efforts and the importance of maintaining the US-Philippines alliance and of course, their shared perspective on dealing with the North Korean threat," he added.

On the campaign against illegal drugs, Kim said the two leaders "agreed that rule of law must be maintained on everything we do, including anti-drug, anti-corruption, anti-crime efforts in different countries."

 

Report from PNA