Opinion | Weary and wary, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte takes China to task and a softer line on the United States
The Philippine leader has toughened his posture on Beijing and relaxed his rhetoric towards Washington but he’s not about to be taken for granted
The past month has seen a shift in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s demeanour, rhetoric and overall public persona. He seems increasingly drained, a shell of his former self, worn down by the inexorable pressure of the presidency.
Last month, Duterte once again floated the idea of resignation from office, though this time with greater sincerity and a clear air of exasperation. Malacanang, the presidential palace, even floated the constitutionally unprecedented possibility of him taking a holiday from the office to recover.
With the euphoria of his early years in office gone, Duterte is embracing a more level-headed approach to external relations, including a more sober-minded and sensible foreign policy towards major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia.
After almost two years of unbridled strategic flirtation with China, Duterte has begun to speak more assertively about the disputes in the South China Sea. In particular, he has more vociferously chided Beijing for its relentless reclamation activities and overt militarisation of disputed land features in the area.
His tougher language was triggered by a leaked report in early August from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which accused China of constantly harassing Philippine aerial patrols and surveillance missions in the Spratly chain of islands, where Manila controls about nine land features.
