Oct 4, 2016: For now, U.S. tries to ignore Philippines president's broadsides
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ph...-idUSKCN124011
U.S. officials are doing their best to ignore Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's hostile rhetoric and taking comfort in the fact that he has yet to translate his words into less military cooperation.
"He is like Mr. Trump," a senior Southeast Asian official said, referring to U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. "He craves attention, and the more he gets, the more outrageous he becomes. It is wisest to ignore him."
U.S. military officials said they were well aware of Duterte's comments, but their counterparts in the Philippines had reassured them that business continues as usual.
"No one is really losing sleep over it," said one U.S. defense official on condition of anonymity.
"It is all bluster," said a second defense official, saying Duterte's remarks "have not bled over into our world."
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ph...-idUSKCN124011
U.S. officials are doing their best to ignore Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's hostile rhetoric and taking comfort in the fact that he has yet to translate his words into less military cooperation.
"He is like Mr. Trump," a senior Southeast Asian official said, referring to U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. "He craves attention, and the more he gets, the more outrageous he becomes. It is wisest to ignore him."
U.S. military officials said they were well aware of Duterte's comments, but their counterparts in the Philippines had reassured them that business continues as usual.
"No one is really losing sleep over it," said one U.S. defense official on condition of anonymity.
"It is all bluster," said a second defense official, saying Duterte's remarks "have not bled over into our world."