Duterte: 'Forget' EDCA; I'm not a US lapdog

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said that the country's Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States (US) may be scrapped during his term.

The chief executive made the statement following the comment of US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affair Daniel Russel that Duterte's rhetoric causes international distress.

Duterte stressed that he is not a lapdog of the American government.

"You count me out. I'm not one of you. I am not also a tuta of any country, mind you. Ang puwede lang magtuta sa akin ang Pilipino, walang iba," Duterte said in a press briefing before leaving for Japan.

"Yes, you have the EDCA. Well, forget it. If I stay here long enough... One day, that EDCA will... If it is an executive agreement then I will... I do not want to see any military man of any other nation except the Filipino soldier," Duterte said.

'You can leave'

Duterte also challenged foreign business investors to leave the country after expressing concerns over the spate of extrajudicial and vigilante killings of drug suspects.

Russel said that the succession of controversial statements from Duterte have created "consternation" in a number of countries.

"Magsilayas kayo, magti-tiis kami. We will recover, I assure you. We will live and survive," the president said.

"Every time they said we will cut our assistance sabi ko sa kanila p**** i** ninyo. 'Wag mo kami gawing aso... As if I am a dog with a leash, tapos magtapon ka ng pan doon sa malayo, hindi ko maabot," Duterte said.

The president also commented on the statement of the US that it remains committed to the Philippines' defense.

Duterte said that the Philippines does not need military assistance from the US as it does not have plans to go to war.

"They want to talk about the bogeyman of war. Stop that s***. Nobody is interested in wars anymore," the president said.

Asked if he has plans of officially rescinding the EDCA, Duterte said that he wants to have a closed door meeting with Russel.

"Mag-usap kami 'yung dalawa lang kami sa isang kwarto. I don't want anybody else," Duterte said.