“America insults us”: Duterte angrily refuses to buy F-16
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected the US offer to buy F-16 fighter jets, calling them "completely useless," as Sputnik International reported.
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| President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte. |
"We don't need F-16s, but they (the United States) still bring this up anyway, even after they insulted us," Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech to military personnel in Davao City.
The Philippine head of state reacted in this way to the letter from US Defense Secretary James Mattis, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, proposing the purchase of American fighter jets. According to Mr. Rodrigo Duterte, this step by Washington is like an attempt to "make up" after numerous statements attacking the Philippine Government.Additionally, President Rodrigo Duterte noted that it is difficult to call Washington and Manila friends.
"We are friends, but we must remember that we are like that because many years ago you colonized us. We do not agree with that kind of friendship," Mr. Duterte explained.
