After last week’s “words of wisdom”, Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday that Americans should get out of his country. He says that terrorist groups in the area are a threat to U.S. citizens. Meanwhile, Obama cancels a meeting with Duterte.
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT WARNS OBAMA AND AMERICANS OF ABU SAYYAF
Philippine president Duterte wants U.S. troops out of the Philippines. According to him, the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf exists in the area. In the past, they have kidnapped North Americans and it could continue. Some may remember Abu Sayyaf as the extreme Islamic group that beheaded two Canadian citizens earlier this year. Duterte says the group will try the same on Americans if given the chance. He then went on to say that race didn’t matter. Hence, anyone found to be American will be kidnapped and killed.
CANADIANS AND AMERICANS NOT PLAYING PHILIPPINE GAME; OBAMA REMAINS SILENT
In response to the two deaths, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had some choice words regarding terrorists and ransoms. Trudeau stood by Canada’s policy regarding ransoms to terrorists. In fact, he even wants to double down on it. They did not pay the $8-million ransom for the two citizens and they will not pay any ransoms in the future earlier. Trudeau thinks paying ransoms only encourages violent behavior. The U.S. agrees with him on that. Still, the Philippine president told any special forces to go to Mindanao where there are “many whites” there.
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT ON A ROLL; AMERICANS AND OBAMA GIVE HIM THE COLD SHOULDER
President Duterte is a colorful character. Last week, he called Obama a “son of a bitch”. Now, he’s kicking Americans out of his country. That may look hostile to some but not Duterte. According to him, he didn’t mean any disrespect. Apparently, calling the U.S. President a “son of a bitch” was a compliment. In Duterte’s mind, he’s concerned for U.S. troops in the area. If that’s true, he sure has a weird way of expressing it. Hence, Obama doesn’t seem eager to accept his “kind words”. The president canceled a meeting the Duterte and responded with a few words. It looks like the President is using the famous cold shoulder technique here. Will it pay off? He probably doesn’t care. He’s out of office in a few months anyway.
