Davao City (Trending Philippines) — Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s fruitful visit to the Philippines was a very special event for the country as it was the first visit of a world leader in 2017 on Duterte’s first term as the Philippine President. Davao City welcomed him and his wife with pleasure and real Filipino hospitality.
Just a few days after Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Philippines to meet the president, Duterte revealed rejection of Japan’s missile offer to the Philippines.
Being the guest of honor at the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 49th Annual Installation of Trustees and Officers, Duterte disclosed the information in his speech. It has been reported that Japan’s offer followed after Russia expressed intentions in providing the Philippines with submarines. However, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the country couldn’t afford it as of now.
Duterte said, “If we start a third world war, that would be the end (of the world),” showing a great disfavor of the idea. Considering that the leaders of rival countries Russia and the United States seem to be getting on good terms, Duterte said that he even told Abe that he does not need missiles.
“If you just see now, Putin is conciliatory and now Trump (is reaching out to the world),“ he added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin and incoming US President Donald Trump.
Having said it, he also emphasized his goal to stop the country from having foreign military alliances with any nation. However, he has recently allowed the Department of Defense to pursue exercises as long as the naval exercise stays within the South China Sea.
At a press briefing in Malacañang, Japan ForeignPress Secretary Tasuhisa Kawamura also expressed eagerness on joining the Balikatan exercises between the US and the Philippines.