The Philippines need not be concerned over US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent spat, as the former looks favorably on the country, said a political analyst.
“Actually in general, positive ang view ni Donald Trump dito. Positive ‘yung goal niya. Tandaan natin, noong kapanahunan niya, ‘yung dati nating presidente, gusto tayong kumbaga i-separate from the US,” Renato De Castro, political analyst and De La Salle University International Studies professor said in an exclusive interview with DZRH.
(Actually in general, Donald Trump views the Philippines positively. His goal is positive. We have to remember, during his first term, our former president wanted to separate us from the US.)
Although former President Rodrigo Duterte distanced the Philippines from its enduring ties with the United States in pursuit of closer relations with China, Trump, once seated in the White House, maintained the alliance with the country.
“Actually na-save ni Donald Trump ‘yung alliance. Kinaibigan niya yung dating presidente natin, si President Rodrigo Duterte,” De Castro said.
“Nagbigay ng malaking tulong ang Estados Unidos noong kapanahunan ng siege of Marawi noong 2017. So bumisita siya rito, very positive ‘yung view niya sa Pilipinas. Ang huling sinabi niya noong paalis na siya: ‘The Philippines is a very expensive piece of real estate,’ kasi nandito yung EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites,” he pointed out.
(Actually, Donald Trump saved the alliance. He befriended our former president, President Rodrigo Duterte. The United States provided substantial aid during the time of the siege of Marawi back in 2017. He visited, and he had a very positive view of the Philippines. Before he left, he said this: ‘The Philippines is a very expensive piece of real estate,’ because of the EDCA sites located here.)
The clash between Trump and Zelensky should teach the Philippines, however, that the matter of national security is its own, independent responsibility.
“At the end of the day, pag dating sa larangan ng security, international relations (when it comes to the matter of security in the context of international relations), we should always rely on our own. Alliances are convenient and they are available, but at the end of the day, your ally will always look after its own national interest,” De Castro stressed.
On Friday, a discussion between Trump and Zelensky concerning military aid, security agreements, and shares in mineral resources dissolved into a shouting match, leaving critical matters unresolved.
