Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has insisted that his announcement of his country's “separation" from the United States does not mean the severing of ties, local media reported Saturday.
Following a bilateral meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, Duterte had expressed his intention to “realign" with China and Russia.
"In this venue, I announce my separation from the United States, both in military, not social… and economic," Duterte said.
After the comments, members of his cabinet attempted to underline that Duterte was suggesting less dependence.
The Manila Bulletin reported Saturday that upon his return to the Philippines, Duterte underlined that his words must be taken “in the context of what I've been saying all along".
“It's not severance of ties, when you say severance of ties, you cut the diplomatic relations. I could not do that, why? It's for the best interest of my country that we maintain that relationship," he said upon his arrival at an airport in southern Davao City, where he served 22 years as mayor.
“I said separation, what I was really saying was separation of a foreign policy," he added.
“In the past and until I became president, we always follow what the United States would give the cue what he would give the cue that we are there, we are there, we follow… I won't follow."
The comments in Beijing were a culmination of a succession of outbursts Duterte has made against America -- the country's long-time ally -- since taking office in June, along with talk of forging links with Beijing and Moscow, bringing uncertainty to the U.S. relationship.
For almost 70 years, the Philippines and the U.S. have been close allies in everything from trade to defense agreements, which allowed Washington to rotate aircraft, ships, and personnel through five Philippines bases.
