MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered his Cabinet members not to travel to the United States indefinitely with the country “slowly toning down” its relations with traditional ally.
Duterte said in a media interview on Wednesday evening that his directive is like a “boycott” to the United States after some of its senators tried to interfere with the country’s internal matters.
“I will not allow any Cabinet member to go there at this time. No Cabinet member should be allowed to go to the United States. Indefinitely. So that we limit our contact in whatever aspect of international relations would be discussed or subject to laws,” Duterte said.
“I don’t know about the Senate and Congress, they have not entered my jurisdiction but ‘yung mga Cabinet member ko, I will ask them to not to go to the United States in the meantime. Parang boycott,” he added.
Several US senators have filed a resolution banning the entry of Philippine officials who were involved in the detention of opposition senator Leila de Lima due to illegal drug trade charges. The resolution was contained in the 2020 US budget signed by Trump.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Thursday that members of Duterte cabinet easily accepted the President’s order not to travel to the United States.
“Tinanggap naming ng maluwalhati. Dapat lang naman huwag pumunta doon. Kina-kansela nga nila ‘yung visa ng ating senador. Kumbaga sabi niya nga, boycott tayo,” Panelo said.
Since assuming the presidency in June 2016, Duterte’s foreign policy has so far been marked with increased engagements with Russia and China, two nations with economic and military rivalries with the US./PN
