Philippine Foreign Minister: The US remains our closest friend.

The Philippine Foreign Minister stated that the US remains the country's closest friend, but Manila wants to break free from a mindset of "dependence and subservience" and strengthen ties with other countries.

Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay. Photo: GMANetwork

Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay, in a Facebook comment yesterday, argued that the term "cutting ties" implies breaking free from the mindset of dependence and subservience, both economically and militarily, maintaining our image as 'little brother' to the US, which weakens and hinders development and progress.

Yasay stated that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders during his visit to Beijing that "if they are not willing to help, the Filipinos will decide their own destiny, despite many great difficulties."

According to Reuters, Yasay's comments came two days after President Duterte declared a "cutoff" of both economic and military ties with Washington, although Duterte later spoke in a more conciliatory tone on October 21. The Philippine president clarified that he did not intend to sever relations with the US as he had stated, and that Manila would benefit most from working alongside Washington.

Yasay's message is a sign that the Philippine government is once again trying to "put out the fire" after a shocking statement by Duterte. His economic managers also quickly clarified that the Philippines is not cutting economic and trade ties with the United States.

According to VNE