President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday urged foreign businesses in the Philippines worried about his deadly drug war to "pack up and leave", as he launched another anti-American tirade before flying to Japan to attract investments.
Duterte voiced outrage at comments made the previous day by the top US envoy to Asia that his fiery rhetoric and crime war, which has claimed about 3,700 lives in four months, were bad for business.
"These Americans are really crazy. Their style is to walk here. They think they are somebodies," Duterte said, as he held up a newspaper with headlines reporting the criticism from US assistant secretary of state Daniel Russel.
"Russel says 'Duterte comments causing worries in business communities'. Then you pack up and leave. We will recover, I assure you."
Duterte then flew to Japan, one of the top US allies in Asia, for a three-day visit that is partly aimed at building on two-way trade of more than $18 billion dollars last year.
"With Japan as the Philippines' top trading partner, I shall seek the sustainment and further enhancement of our important economic ties," Duterte, 71, said in prepared remarks at Manila airport.
"I look forward to meeting business leaders in Japan. I will tell them clearly that the Philippines is open for business."
Upon arrival in Tokyo, Duterte proceeded to a hotel for an event with members of the local Filipino community.
More than 100 of them waiting outside gave him an enthusiastic welcome, calling his name and waving small Philippine flags. A smiling Duterte approached them and shook hands.
Duterte will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and have an audience with Emperor Akihito during the trip, which follows his headline-grabbing state visit to China last week.
Duterte, a self-proclaimed socialist with close links to communists, announced in Beijing the Philippines' "separation" from the United States, throwing into doubt a 70-year alliance that is anchored on a mutual defence treaty.
He quickly walked back from his comments after returning from China, saying "separation" did not mean he would "sever" ties and that the US alliance would continue.
But his anti-American vitriol also continued.
No lapdog
Duterte said Tuesday he was not a "lapdog" of the United States, and again voiced anger at American and European criticism of apparent extrajudicial killings on his watch.
"You are a son of a whore," he said referring to his critics.
"Do not make us dogs. Do not. As if I am a dog with a leash and then you throw bread far away that I cannot reach."
Duterte has previously branded US President Barack Obama a "son of a whore" and told him to "go to hell".
Russel, the US envoy, said after meeting Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay on Monday that many people around the world were becoming increasingly worried about Duterte's tirades.
"The succession of controversial statements, comments and a real climate of uncertainty about the Philippines' intentions have created consternation in a number of countries," Russel said.
"Not only in mine and not only among governments, but also growing concern in other communities, in the expat Filipino community, in corporate boardrooms as well."
Japan, which is wary of China's rising influence in the region, signalled it would be looking for clarification from Duterte about his foreign policy plans.
"It is important to have good communication and to listen directly to what Mr Duterte has in mind," Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters when asked about the firebrand leader's comments on ties with Washington.
Abe had worked to improve bilateral relations with Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino.
Japan provided patrol boats to support the Philippines in its territorial row with Beijing over rival claims to the South China Sea, as it sought backing in its own maritime dispute with China.
Aquino took Beijing to an international tribunal over its extensive claims in the South China Sea -- where it has built artificial islands capable of hosting military facilities -- and the Philippines won a resounding victory in July.
But Duterte has sought not to use the verdict to anger China, instead worked to improve ties and attract billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investments.
AFP
Tue Oct 25 2016
Duterte said he was not a "lapdog" of the United States.
Semua laluan Malaysia-Thai di daerah Tak Bai, Sungai Golok, Weng ditutup sementara
Jalan ke Sungai Golok dari daerah Tak Bai ditutup untuk pemeriksaan selepas skuad pemusnah bom menemukan paku bertaburan di jalan raya.
Pengwujudan dua negara berdaulat satu penyelesaian
Perdana Menteri Jordan, Bisher Hani Al Khaswneh berkata Israel terus melakukan kesilapan dengan menyerang gaza dan berharap untuk mendapat hasil yang berbeza. Beliau turut berkata pengwujudan dua negara berdaulat adalah satu penyelesaian asas yang enggan difahami dan diterima Israel.
PETRONAS dagangan jual 16 bilion liter bahan api, perolehan RM37.55 bilion
Ini laporam yangh baharu kami terima.
PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd mencatatkan jumlah jualan melebihi 16 bilion liter bahan api tahun lalu, meningkat lapan peratus tahun ke tahun, manakala perolehan sebanyak RM37.55 bilion.
PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd mencatatkan jumlah jualan melebihi 16 bilion liter bahan api tahun lalu, meningkat lapan peratus tahun ke tahun, manakala perolehan sebanyak RM37.55 bilion.
Hukuman gantung lelaki bunuh, tidur bersama mayat rakan, diganti penjara 30 tahun
Ini laporan yang baharu kami terima.
Seorang pekerja rencam yang didapati bersalah membunuh rakannya dan tidur bersama mayat mangsa selama empat hari terlepas tali gantung apabila Mahkamah Rayuan Putrajaya hari ini, menggantikan hukuman mati yang dijatuhkan terhadap lelaki itu dengan penjara 30 tahun.
Seorang pekerja rencam yang didapati bersalah membunuh rakannya dan tidur bersama mayat mangsa selama empat hari terlepas tali gantung apabila Mahkamah Rayuan Putrajaya hari ini, menggantikan hukuman mati yang dijatuhkan terhadap lelaki itu dengan penjara 30 tahun.
Kelas terapung atasi masalah sekolah padat
Pelaksanaan kelas terampung di sekolah-sekolah yang mempunyai kepadatan tinggi dapat membantu mengatasi isu kesesakan pelajar.
MINDEF, ATM aktifkan Tabung Tragedi Lumut 24
Kementerian Pertahanan dan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) menubuhkan satu tabung khas ‘Tabung Tragedi Lumut 24’ bagi memudahkan warga ATM serta orang ramai menghulurkan bantuan kewangan kepada waris keluarga mangsa nahas helikopter di Pangkalan Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) Lumut, 23 April lepas.
Konflik Gaza perlukan kerjasama dunia
Ketegangan konflik Gaza jadi tumpuan hari terakhir WEF di Riyadh, Arab Saudi.
Rampasan 30 kg ganja, lebih 1 tan daun ketum
Polis Perlis menumpaskan kegiatan penyeludupan ganja dan daun ketum dengan merampas 30kg ketulan mampat dadah jenis ganja bernilai RM93,000 dan daun ketum seberat 1.02 tan bernilai RM10,200.
LBS akhiri kempen tawar hadiah RM1.5 juta buat 1,400 pembeli
LBS mengakhiri kempen Fabulous Extra dengan hadiah RM1.5 juta terdiri daripada Perodua Axia, motosikal, set teater rumah dan basikal gunung buat 1,400 pembeli bertuah.
Kadar antara bank jangka pendek ditutup kukuh
Kadar antara bank jangka pendek ditutup kukuh hari ini susulan operasi Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) yang menyerap lebihan mudah tunai daripada sistem kewangan.