Since taking office in June, the foul-mouthed Duterte has upended the Philippines' historical military alliance with the United States, repeatedly saying he was shifting toward China and Russia as he embarks on an independent foreign policy. "It was good (while) it lasted," Duterte told Putin of what he has called his "separation" from the US. Duterte also said the United States "forced" the Philippines to contribute soldiers in its wars in Vietnam and Iraq. When Manila pulled out non-combat troops that were part of the US-led coalition against Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2004 following threats to behead a kidnapped Filipino worker there, Washington "made it hard for us," Duterte told Putin in a video shot by the Philippine presidential palace broadcast team. Duterte, who has cultivated an image as a no-nonsense leader, said last month that "my favorite hero is Putin."

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 20, 2016 01:25 UTC