On Duterte’s statement to break ties with us: Philippines can’t be an isolationist - Davide

CEBU, Philippines - "We can't shut out the United States of America. The US has been our ally for decades, a major and very close ally. Let us not abandon our old allies like US."

This was Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III's sentiment on President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement that the country is breaking ties with the United States.

Lt. Col. Luzmindo Mamauag, Central Command (Centcom) public information officer, however, said they would abide by whatever is the decision of the president.

"We support the pronouncements of our commander-in-chief and his plans for the Philippines," he said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

"When the commander in chief thinks that it is relevant for the country, we will stand with (him in) his decision," he added.

Davide said the Philippines should not be an "isolationist" and should befriend the US instead of ending ties with the country's closest ally.

He said it is important for the Philippines to remain an ally and friend with US for the sake of the country's economy and other factors.

"We need them and America also needs us. That's for sure," he said.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, on the other hand, said he was disturbed by the recent development.

"I'm disturbed. Although I don't like America all the time but believe me, I'm disturbed," he told reporters yesterday.

Duterte declared the country severing ties with the US during his visit to Beijing, China.  Osmeña recalled how some leaders before, during, and after World War II were strongly against the establishment of US military bases in the Philippines but later on changed their minds when Japan invaded the country.

"During the days when we got our independence, Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Roxas went to the US to lobby for a law that grants independence to the Philippines. It was called the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Law named after the sponsors of the bill. They made amendments after 10 years. Nagselos si Manuel Quezon. So Quezon went to the US, asked for another bill, and it was approved. It's called the Tydings-Mcduffie law," he said.

"Here comes Japan starting to threaten Philippines, then the country hired General MacArthur to come here to set up our defenses, but it was too late. What happened? We lost right away. Now, the funny thing is, we allowed the US to have their bases remain. Ah, you stay here na lang as long as you want.  Nobody questioned it because of WWII," he further said.

Osmeña said the public, including the president, should value the lessons of the past to keep it from repeating itself.

"If you don't know history you’re bound to commit the same mistake," he said.

He also feared that Filipinos in the US would be discriminated against because of the president's declaration.

Davide was more optimistic, saying Filipinos in the US would not be affected by what the president said,

While he admitted that what Duterte would announce are sometimes "very disturbing," he said the people should not worry about them.

"Wa man ta mabalaka pero makapamalandong gyud ta. His pronouncements sometimes are very disturbing. But, it is his style and that's the way he is," the governor said, convinced that the US would not take what the president said negatively and seriously.

"I don't think mo-separate ang US nato because of Duterte's pronouncement. US is committed to us," he said.

Davide, though, also welcomes China and Russia as new allies

"I don't see any complication with making friends with China and Russia. We need really friends. In fact the president (Duterte) said we need friends and new allies with whom makasalig ta," he said.

Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Officer Hembler Mendoza, on the other hand, said they see no reason for what the president said to affect the city's tourism.

"It will have no effect at all. If there would be an effect, it will be very minimal. I am very optimistic… about the tourism industry's prospects amid the strengthening relationship between the two countries (China and Philippines)," he said.

Mendoza said they would expect a "rapid increase" in the number of Chinese visitors coming in to the country.

"Because of the warming relations between the two countries, I can see that tourism is very promising. The abundance of tourism resources in the Philippines, specifically in Lapu-Lapu City, will increase investment opportunities for Chinese businessmen and tourists," he said.

In a previous report, the Department of Tourism-7 said tourist arrivals in Central Visayas stood at 1.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. Tourist arrivals in 2015 reached 4.6 million, exceeding the 4.4 million target. Of the 4.6 million, 3.3 million went to Cebu.

"And as far as the number of American tourists are concerned, they come here to do rest and recreation and not dwell much on political affairs. They are here to enjoy and see what the Historic Resort City has to offer," Mendoza said.

DOT-7 said the US is third top tourist source, accounting for 13.58 percent or 157, 910 of last year's arrivals.

The agency targets to entice 5.8 million tourists this year. — Kristine B. Quintas, Odessa O. Leyson, Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, Michael Vencynth H. Braga (FREEMAN)