Philippines notifies U.S. of intent to end major security pact

Good riddance. The US should sever the security alliance with the PI. Let them defend themselves from China.

Most of the government and a majority of the Philippine people support a strong alliance with the US...they only have to look at China's nine-dash line and how much Philippine territory it encompasses to know where the threat is.

This is Duterte getting more payoff money from China and selling out his country...

Duterte mimicking Trump...

Don't count it out yet - maybe Duterte will get a love letter from Trump

This ^ is very plausible.

Trump has 6 months before the notice becomes a formal 'end'.

Trump knows Duterte is building an autocratic dynasty. He's lined his daughter up already. He's rubbing with the likes of uncle Tuu (Thailand general, come coup leader, come PM, soon dictator for life), Hun Sen (Cambodian dictator), Kim Jong Un NK, Ayatollahs etc etc... all backed by China.

Should Trump care? IMO, 50/50 either way.

The original VFA was signed becaused the Philippines perceived China was agitating in the SCS and wanted a bigger US presence (in addition to the defense treaty). So if the VFA ends, it would only take the alliance back to the 9ties position, ie no biggy.

If Duterte go full on dictator, then China wins another crackpot, and is probably bad for the ASEAN nations.

There are almost 3x more Filipinos in the USA than Japanese. Filipinos are the 2nd highest group behind Chinese in the US. Higher than Indians.

That explains the Filipino people generally having a favorable view of American people.

Don't count it out yet - maybe Duterte will get a love letter from Trump

So President Duterte does not want a USA military presence, but will he also refuse the free aid money?

will he also refuse the free aid money?

So aid is conditional upon military?

Good riddance. The US should sever the security alliance with the PI. Let them defend themselves from China.

Exactly!!

Couldn't have said it better myself!