Philippines President threatens to 'break up' with U.S.

'This is an alliance that is robust and that benefits both of our countries.'

Philippine and US military forces began rounds of joint drills last week, but Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has some choice words for U.S. President Barack Obama.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Duterte released a statement on Tuesday, where he claimed the U.S. has refused to sell weapons to his country.

"Instead of helping us, the first to hit was the State Department," Duterte said, referring to America's criticisms of using extrajudicial killings to conquer the war on drugs in the Philippines.

In another of the three speeches he gave Tuesday, Duterte explained: "Respect is important. If this is what happens now, I will be reconfiguring my foreign policy.

"Eventually I might, in my time, I will break up with America. I'd rather go to Russia and to China...So you can go to hell, Mr. Obama. You can go to hell...The EU better choose purgatory."

The White House responded to Duterte with a statement of its own.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Duterte's comments were a contradiction to the "warm relationship" the countries enjoy.

"This is an alliance that is robust and that benefits both of our countries," Earnest stated. "Even as we protect this strong alliance, the administration and the United States of America will not hesitate to raise our concerns about extra-judicial killings.

"We remain deeply concerned by reports of widespread extrajudicial killings by or at the behest of government authorities in the Philippines. The use of that kind of tactic is entirely inconsistent with the universal human rights and the shared values of our two countries."

While the countries appear to be experiencing a fallout, both forces continue to conduct joint drills.

The drills began Tuesday amid Duterte's verbal assault and U.S. military leaders made it clear the countries were in alliance during the opening ceremony.

"We share a unique and enduring bond in this region, and each year we are offered an invitation to strengthen our relationship during" the exercises, U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. John Jansen stated during a speech, reported by Reuters.

The Presidents of each country are a clear contrast to the unity displayed during the opening ceremony and the Philippine President concluded his rebuke with a single threat, "I serve notice to you now that this will be the last joint military exercise with U.S."

---

The California Network is the Next Wave in delivery of information and entertainment on pop culture, social trends, lifestyle, entertainment, news, politics and economics. We are hyper-focused on one audience, YOU, the connected generation. JOIN US AS WE REDEFINE AND REVOLUTIONIZE THE EVER-CHANGING MEDIA LANDSCAPE.