“License to Kill”

After his return from China, Duterte backtracked, saying he had only meant to announce that
the Philippines would adopt an independent foreign policy, not abandon its ties with the
United States, “because the people of my country are not ready to accept [separation].” 352
On October 21, at the visit’s end, China and the Philippines issued a joint statement that
included a reaffirmation of their mutual commitment to Duterte’s “war on drugs”:
China understands and supports Philippine Government’s efforts in fighting
against illicit drugs. Realising that the problem of illicit drugs poses severe
threats to the health, safety and welfare of the people of both countries,
both sides agree to enhance exchange of intelligence, know-how and
technology sharing on fighting against drug crimes, preventive education
and rehabilitation facilities. … The Philippines thanks China for its offer of
assistance in personnel training and donation of drug detection, seizure,
and testing equipment to aid in the fight against illicit drugs. 353
In December, China’s ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua, told reporters that the
Chinese government was “exploring the possibilities of providing arms, light arms" to the
Philippine government “for fighting against terrorism, [for the] anti-drug campaign.” 354 To
date there have been no confirmation of Chinese weapon sales to the Philippines
government to support its “war on drugs.”
Russia
During his state visit to China, President Duterte stated that he wanted to “separate” from
the United States, and form a closer alliance with China and Russia (see above). Igor
Khovaev, the Russian ambassador to the Philippines, warmly responded to Duterte’s
352 James Griffiths, Matt Rivers, and Pamela Boykoff, “Philippines not really severing ties with US, Duterte says,” CNN,
October 22, 2016, http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/21/asia/duterte-china-philippines-us/.
353 “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on October 20, 2016,” Permanent Mission of
China to the United Nations press release, October 20, 2016, http://www.china-un.ch/eng/fyrth/t1407465.htm.
354 “China offers Philippines weapons for drug war,” Agence France-Presse, December 13, 2016, http://news.abscbn.com/news/12/13/16/china-offers-philippines-weapons-for-drug-war.
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