Son Of Ousted Philippine Dictator Marcos Wins Philippines Presidential Election

 

Reuters: Marcos, son of strongman, triumphs in Philippines presidential election 

MANILA — Ferdinand Marcos Jr clinched a stunning runaway victory in the Philippines’ presidential election on Monday in the first win by a majority since a 1986 revolution that toppled his late father’s two-decade dictatorship. 

An unofficial tally showed Marcos, popularly known as “Bongbong,” had surpassed the 27.5 million votes needed for a majority, setting the stage for a once unthinkable return to rule of the Marcos family, 36 years after its humiliating retreat into exile during a “people power” uprising.  

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Update #1: 36 years after ousting Marcos, Filipinos elect son as president (Rappler) 

Update #2: Son of ousted Philippine dictator headed for landslide victory in presidential election (The Week)  

WNU Editor: The election was not even close. It is a landslide win for Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Philippines To Acquire Anti-Ship Missile System From India

The new anti-ship system to be acquired from India aims to deter foreign vessels from encroaching on the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile (370km) exclusive economic zone [File: Adnan Abidi/Reuters]  

Reuters: Philippines to acquire missile system from India for $375 million 

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines has finalised a deal to acquire a shore-based anti-ship missile system from India for nearly $375 million to beef up its navy, the Southeast Asian nation's defence minister said. 

The Philippines is in the late stages of a five-year, 300 billion pesos ($5.85 billion) project to modernise its military's outdated hardware that includes warships from World War Two and helicopters used by the United States in the Vietnam War. 

 Under the deal negotiated with the government of India, Brahmos Aerospace Private Ltd will deliver three batteries, train operators and maintainers, and provide logistics support, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a Facebook post late on Friday.  

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WNU Editor: The Philippines will be needing a lot of missiles .... China has built the world's largest navy. Now what's Beijing going to do with it? (CNN). 

 Philippines To Acquire Anti-Ship Missile System From India  

PH agrees to buy anti-ship missile system from India for nearly $375M -- CNN  

India Sells Antiship Missiles to the Philippines as Concern Over China Grows -- WSJ

Philippines agrees to buy India anti-ship missile system -- AFP  

Philippines Becomes First Foreign Buyer of Indo-Russian BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile -- Sputnik

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Said He’s Retiring From Politics

 

CNN: Philippines President Duterte announces he's retiring from politics at the end of his term 

(CNN)Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday he would retire rather than run for vice president next year, in a surprise move that sparked speculation over his political future, according to the Philippines News Agency (PNA). 

Duterte, 76, is barred by the Philippine Constitution from seeking a second term after his six years in office, but he said last month that he would campaign for vice president in the upcoming election in May. 

His plan to pursue the largely ceremonial post was criticized by rivals and many Filipinos as an attempt to maintain his political power and avoid potential legal action at home or abroad.  

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Update #1: ‘I’m quitting politics’, says Rodrigo Duterte – for a second time (The Guardian)  

Update #2: Philippine President Duterte announces retirement in surprise move (France 24)  

WNU Editor: It is not the first time that he has said that he will quit politics. We shall see if this happens .... Philippines' Duterte says daughter running for president in 2022 elections - media (Reuters).

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte: Obama is 'so black and arrogant'

Philippines 'President Rodrigo Duterte stands at attention during a courtesy call with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers in Manila, Philippines, September 6, 2017. REUTERS/Pool/Mark Cristino

FOX News: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte: I stabbed someone to death, Obama is 'so black and arrogant'

Outspoken Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte added to his legendary list of outrageous claims Thursday when he bragged about stabbing a person to death when he was 16 years old -- and Duterte raised even more eyebrows when he reportedly later called former President Barack Obama "so black and arrogant."

In a defiant speech hitting back at critics of his deadly drug crackdown, Duterte said he would go into jails and have “rumbles here, rumbles there.”

“At the age of 16, I already killed someone. A real person, a rumble, a stabbing,” Duterte said during a summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang, according to the BBC. “I was just 16 years old. It was just over a look. How much more now that I am president.”

A spokesman for Duterte said the remarks had been made “in jest.”

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Update: Rodrigo Duterte: President Obama Was "So Black...So Arrogant" (Zero Hedge)

WNU Editor: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte talks too much.

After Five Months Of Fighting The Battle For The Philippine City Of Marawi Has Ended

Task & Purpose/Manila Times: ISIS Just Suffered A Major Defeat In The Philippines

With more than 1,000 dead and after nearly five months of fighting, Marawi City is free from the stranglehold of terrorists.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi on Oct. 17 following the deaths of the top two Islamist State-linked terrorist leaders who attacked the city.

Duterte made the announcement during his seventh visit to troops in the war-torn city.

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More News On The Battle For The Philippine City Of Marawi

Islamic State's 'emir' in Asia possibly killed in Marawi battle, Philippine military says -- South China Morning Post
Clearing up operations continue in Marawi -- Global Times
Duterte confirms Malaysia's most wanted terrorist Mahmud Ahmad dead: Reports -- Channel NewsAsia
Islamic State's 'emir' in Asia possibly killed in Marawi battle, Philippine military says -- South China Morning Post
Duterte, military confirm death of alleged Marawi crisis financier -- CNN Philippines
Doubts about smoking gun as Duterte lauds China role in rebel killing -- Reuters
Inside the Philippines' Bloody War Against Islamist Militants (Wall Street Journal).

Philippine Defense Chief Hints That President Duterte May Impose Martial Law

South China Morning Post/AFP: Philippine president Duterte may declare nationwide martial law next week, defence chief says

Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly threatened to impose martial law across the country, but not given a specific time frame

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may declare nationwide martial law if threatened protests by communists and other leftists against his rule turn violent or disrupt the country, his defence chief said Friday.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana emphasised he believed it was very unlikely martial law would be declared, but said the president was worried about threatened “massive” protests by the left.

“He said, if the left will try to have a massive protest, start fires on the streets, they will disrupt the country, then I might (declare martial law),” Lorenzana told reporters, recounting a conversation with Duterte this week.

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More News On The Philippine Defense Chief Hinting That President Duterte May Impose Martial Law

Philippines' Duterte threatens to declare martial law across the WHOLE country next week in response to protests against him -- Daily Mail
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte may declare nationwide martial law if protests next week turn chaotic -- Straits Times
'Martial law on Sept. 21 a remote possibility' -- Philippine Star
Philippines President Duterte may declare nationwide martial law if protests go out of hand -- International Business Times

Philippine Military Accidentally Kills 11 Soldiers In A Botched Anti-ISIS Airstrike

Reuters: Philippine crisis deepens as air strike on rebels kills 11 soldiers

An air strike on Islamist rebel holed up in a southern Philippine city has killed 11 government troops, the armed forces said on Thursday, in a major blow to the country's bid to end its biggest internal security crisis in years.

The bombing accident happened on Wednesday when one of two planes bombing rebel positions missed its target in the heart of Marawi City, where ground troops have been battling pro-Islamic State militants holed-up in buildings for nine days.

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More News On The Battle For The Philippine City Of Marawi

11 Philippines soldiers killed in botched anti-ISIS airstrike -- CNN
Philippine Military Kills 11 of Its Soldiers in Errant Airstrike -- New York Times
Philippine airstrike kills 11 soldiers in besieged city -- Washington Post/AP
Philippine friendly fire airstrikes kill 11 troops -- AFP
Philippine airstrike kills 11 soldiers in Marawi friendly fire -- UPI
Friendly fire hits Philippine troops fighting Islamists in Marawi -- DW
Duterte's troops bombard ISIS militants from the sky as death toll rises to 129 in besieged Philippines city and Catholic priest taken hostage appears in video -- Daily Mail
Hundreds of Christian Hostages Taken By ISIS Militants In The Philippines -- Gospel Herald
The Latest: Philippines says 500 militants involved in siege -- AP
8 foreign 'ISIS members' killed in Marawi - Lorenzana -- CNN
Week-long urban battle leaves 89 Muslim militants dead in Philippines -- DAWN/AFP
Islamist militants resist week-long military assault in southern Philippines -- France 24
Marawi City siege shows foreign fighters being drawn to the Philippines as ISIS' Asian hub -- Straits Times
Islamic State releases video from the fighting in Marawi -- Threat Matrix
Philippines: Why ISIS-Linked Rebels in Marawi Are Proving Hard for the Army to Defeat -- Newsweek

The Battle For The Southern Philippine City Of Marawi -- News Updates May 31, 2017

ABC News Online: Marawi City: Philippine military urges Islamist rebels to surrender as battle enters eighth day

The Philippine military is urging Islamist militants occupying a southern city to turn themselves in as the brutal conflict that has left over 100 people dead enters its eighth day.

The Government says it is close to retaking Marawi City from the Islamic State-linked Maute group, which seized parts of the city after a failed attempt by security forces to capture Isnilon Hapilon, the militants' so-called leader of South-East Asia.

"We call on the remaining terrorists to surrender while there is an opportunity," Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said.

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The Battle For The Southern Philippine City Of Marawi -- News Updates May 31, 2017

Civilians seek food, water as Philippines siege continues -- AP
89 gunmen killed in Philippine urban battle: military -- AFP
Philippines says Islamists keep up week-long fight with prisoners, looted guns -- Reuters
Philippines vows to save hostages as fight corners militants -- FOX News/AP
Death Toll from the Philippine Government's Assault to Retake Marawi From ISIS-Linked Militants Rises -- Time News/AP
Philippines: ISIL-linked Maute group using children as fighters -- Al Jazeera
Catholic Priest Abducted in the Philippines Appeals to President in a Video -- NYT
Duterte insists he ‘will not talk to terrorists’ in U-turn on clashes in south Philippines -- RT
Filipinos Who Fled ISIS-Inspired Fighting: ‘There Was Gunfire Everywhere’ -- NYT
Civilians seek food, water as Philippines siege continues -- AP
Maute rebel group: A rising threat to Philippines -- Jonathan Head, BBC News

Philippine Forces Continue To Battle Islamic Rebels In The Southern City Of Marawi

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Reuters: Philippines urges Islamist rebels to surrender as battle enters eighth day

The Philippine military urged Islamist militants occupying a southern city to turn themselves in on Tuesday, the eighth day of a push by security forces using armored vehicles and firing rockets from helicopters to eliminate the gunmen.

The government says it is close to retaking Marawi from the Islamic State-linked Maute group, which seized parts of the city after a failed attempt by security forces to capture Isnilon Hapilon, the militants' so-called emir of Southeast Asia.

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More News On Philippine Forces Continuing To Battle Islamic Rebels In The Southern City Of Marawi

Philippines warns Islamist militants to surrender or die -- AFP
Philippines Urges ISIS-Linked Islamist Militants to Surrender Marawi After Eight-Day Siege -- Newsweek
Philippines launches air strikes in bid to retake ISIS-occupied city -- CNN
Fear, confusion as Philippine Muslim city burns -- AFP
Inside Marawi: Death toll nears 100 as Philippines security forces battle Islamist militants -- IRIN News
ISIS-linked terrorists in Philippines take hundreds of hostages, most Christian, priest says -- FOX News
Priest says he and 200 others held hostage in Philippine -- AP
Civilians flee fighting in southern Philippines -- DW
Philippines: ISIL fighters 'could be infiltrating' Marawi evacuees -- Euronews
Militants attacking Marawi in Philippines say they want to be part of Islamic State -- News.com.au
Philippine army battles to contain Isis attacks from spreading to second city -- The Guardian
ISIS-Linked Militants in Philippines Plotted to Set Marawi Ablaze -- NBC/AP
As foreigners fight in the Philippines, a new hub for Islamic State -- Reuters
ISIS wants Philippines foothold to inflict destruction like in Iraq, Syria – military -- RT

The Battle Between Islamists Militants And Tthe Philippine Army For The Southern Philippine City Of Marawi -- News Updates May 29, 2017

BBC: Philippine army 'makes gains' in Marawi Islamist battle

The Philippine military says it has made gains retaking Marawi city from Islamist militants amid clashes that have left about 100 people dead.

According to the military, militants now control only small pockets within the southern Philippine city.

But there are still reports of fighting on the ground and thousands of civilians trapped.

Nineteen civilians are known to have died. Some were found dead in a ravine with gunshot wounds to their heads.

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The Battle Between Islamists Militants And The Philippine Army For The Southern Philippine City Of Marawi -- News Updates May 29, 2017

Philippine forces make gains in southern city under siege -- AP
Philippine Military Says Close to Defeating Islamist Rebels -- Reuters
Fears for 2,000 people trapped in Philippine city battle -- AFP
Philippines Says Fight With Islamic State Militants Nearing End -- Bloomberg
Isis-backed militants struggle for control in the southern Philippines -- The Guardian
Philippine Forces Struggle to Evacuate City Overrun by Islamist Militants -- New York Times
Philippines military: 16 bodies found were civilians fleeing militants -- UPI
Philippine forces report gains in besieged city of Marawi -- DW
Islamic State-linked militants execute civilians in Philippines as conflict intensifies: Police -- ABC News Online
Death Toll Rises As Philippine Military Tries To Regain Control Of Marawi -- NPR
Philippines: Hundreds trapped in battle for Marawi -- Al Jazeera
Christians caught up in Philippines' urban battle with Islamists -- Reuters
Duterte offers to hire Muslim separatists, Maoists as ‘soldiers’ to fight ISIS-linked militants -- RT

The Battle For The Philippine City Of Marawi Intensifies Between The Military And Islamist Insurgents

ABC News Online: Thousands of residents flee Marawi as insurgents battle Philippines troops, raise Islamic State flag

Thousands of residents have fled the southern Philippine city of Marawi as government troops exchanged gunfire with Islamist insurgents.

Army tanks packed with soldiers rolled into Marawi on Thursday in an effort to repel Islamist insurgents linked to Islamic State (IS), who had torched buildings, seized more than a dozen Catholic hostages and raised the black flag of IS.

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The Battle For The Philippine City Of Marawi Intensifies Between The Military And Islamist Insurgents

Marawi fighting: Troops battle militants in Philippine city -- BBC
Philippines deploys top commandoes, attack helicopters to retake city from Islamist rebels -- Reuters
Soldiers launch attacks in besieged Philippine city -- AP
Philippine troops bomb Islamist militants in city -- AFP
Philippines army rescues 78 hostages, kills 13 ISIS-linked terrorists – military -- RT
At least 21 killed as Isis-linked militants rampage through Philippines city -- The Guardian
Philippine Troops Begin Campaign to Retake City From Islamist Militants -- VOA
Mindanao: Air raids target fighters holed up in Marawi -- Al Jazeera
Philippine army launches attacks against ISIS-linked terrorist group -- USA Today
Battle in Philippines With ISIS-Linked Militants Is Test for Duterte -- New York Times
The Philippine President Declares His Intentions in Mindanao -- Stratfor

Philippine Forces Try To Fend Off Islamist Militants On Mindanao. Philippine President Duterte May Declare Nationwide Martial Law

Reuters: Thousands flee Philippine city after rebel rampage claimed by Islamic State

Thousands of civilians fled fighting in the Philippines on Wednesday as troops tried to fend off Islamist militants who took over large parts of a city, capturing Christians, seizing and torching buildings and setting free scores of prisoners.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the rampage via its Amaq news agency, and President Rodrigo Duterte defended his decision to declare martial law on Mindanao, the Muslim-majority island where Marawi City is located, to prevent the spread of extremism in the impoverished region.

The violence flared in Marawi on Tuesday afternoon after a botched raid by security forces on a hideout of the Maute, a militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

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More News On Martial Law Being Declared On The Philippine Island Of Mindanao

Islamic State-linked militants besiege Philippine city -- AP
Philippine Islamists beheaded local police chief, Duterte says -- AFP
At least 21 killed as Isis-linked militants rampage through Philippines city -- The Guardian/AP
Isis-linked militants behead police chief and take priest and churchgoers hostage in Philippines city -- The Independent
Duterte says he had to declare martial law to fight ISIS in Mindanao -- CNN
Duterte Declares Martial Law Over Chaos in Marawi, Philippines -- NBC
Philippine President Duterte eyes nationwide martial law -- BBC
Duterte Suggests Martial Law Across Philippines, Citing Islamist Threat -- New York Times
Philippines' Duterte mulls imposing martial law nationwide -- AFP
Duterte says he may widen martial law from Mindanao to include all of the Philippines -- Washington Post

Philippine President Duterte Has Declared Martial Law On The Southern Island Of Mindanao

Reuters: Philippine leader halts Russia trip, imposes martial law on restive island

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte cut short a visit to Russia and imposed martial law on the island of Mindanao on Tuesday after a fierce bout of fighting erupted during a raid by security forces at a hideout of Islamic State-linked militants.

Two soldiers and a policeman were killed and 12 wounded amid chaos in Marawi, a predominantly Muslim city of about 200,000 people, where members of the Maute militant group took control of buildings and set fire to a school, a church and a detention facility.

Duterte, a native of Mindanao, canceled a meeting set for Wednesday with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Tass news agency said President Vladimir Putin would see him before his departure Tuesday night, instead of on Thursday as planned.

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More News On Philippine President Duterte Declaring Martial Law On The Southern Island Of Mindanao

Duterte declares martial rule in besieged south Philippines -- ABC News/AP
Duterte declares martial law in southern Philippines -- Channel News Asia/AFP
Mindanao, a Philippines Island, Is Placed Under Martial Law -- NYT
Philippines' Duterte Declares Martial Law in Southern Province -- VOA
Duterte declares martial law in Philippine island of Mindanao in response to militant attacks -- L.A. Times
Philippines Declares Martial Law on Southern Island -- WSJ
Duterte declares martial law as Philippine troops clash with gunmen -- DW
Philippines: Duterte declares martial law in Mindanao amid clashes -- CNN
Philippines crisis: Duterte declares martial law on Mindanao in face of ISIS-linked onslaught -- RT
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Declares Martial Rule in Southern Part of Country -- Time
Pro-Islamic State group, army clash in Marawi City, Philippines -- UPI
Philippines soldiers battle Isis-linked gunmen on Marawi city streets -- The Independent
Gov't forces, Maute group clash in Marawi City -- CNN

The Philippines Just Bought A Warship For The Bargain Basement Price Of $100

Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics: The Philippines Just Bought a Warship for $100

But what does a single Benjamin actually buy you?

The Republic of the Philippines is getting a real bargain. In this age of $1.3 billion guided missile destroyers, the island nation is "buying" a used warship from South Korea for the bargain-basement price of just $100. While that sounds like a screaming deal, exactly what is it getting for its money?

The Philippines is in the midst of a defense buildup. The island country has been locked in a political face-off with China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. With no end in sight, the concern is the political dispute will escalate to a military one, a hypothetical conflict the Philippines would be woefully unready for. The country has been fighting an insurgency against various internal groups, including the Al Qaeda-aligned Abu Sayyaf guerrilla force, funding its army at the expense of its navy and air force.

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WNU Editor: OK .... they have to spend $4 million for refurbishing the ship ... and then there are the weapons.

Philippine President Duterte Rages At European Union Over His Country's Death Penalty Laws

Daily Mail: 'Why do you have to f**k with us?' Duterte brands EU officials 'crazies' for condemning his deadly war on drugs while vowing again that all traffickers in the Philippines will be killed

* Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has branded European lawmakers 'crazies'
* European Parliament had passed resolution condemning his brutal war on drugs
* The 71-year-old spoke in English and asked: 'Why do you have to f**k with us?'

Hard line Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has branded European lawmakers 'crazies' for questioning his deadly war on drugs.

The 71-year-old spoke in English as he asked 'why do you have to f**k with us?' after the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning 'the high number of extrajudicial killings' in his war on drugs.

Duterte fired his broadside in a late-night speech Sunday in Myanmar and vowed again that all traffickers in his country will be killed.

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More News On Philippine President Duterte Raging At European Union Over His Country's Death Penalty Laws

Philippine president swears at European MPs over death penalty criticism -- The Guardian
Duterte tells EU ‘mind your own business’ over death penalty -- Irish Times
Duterte uses f-word to slam MEPs over death penalty revival criticism -- Euronews
'Don't f*** with us!' Philippine President RAGES at European Union in FURIOUS tirade -- Express

Philippine Communist Rebels To End Their Ceasefire On February 10

Reuters: Philippines communist rebels end ceasefire but still support peace talks

The Maoist-led rebel group in the Philippines said on Wednesday it was terminating a unilateral ceasefire it declared five months ago and resuming a protracted guerrilla warfare that has killed tens of thousands of people.

The New People's Army said in a statement that the ceasefire agreed to last August would expire on Feb. 10, but added the rebels would still support peace talks with the government of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"In our experience and in the experience of other peoples, it is possible to negotiate while fighting until the substantive agreements are forged to address the roots of the armed conflict and lay the basis for a just and lasting peace," the group said.

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More News On Philippine Communist Rebels Ending Their Ceasefire

Philippine Communist Rebels to End Unilateral Cease-Fire -- AP
Philippine communist rebels end ceasefire -- AFP
Philippines: Communist rebels end unilateral ceasefire raising fear of guerrilla warfare -- International Business Times
Duterte ally urges government, communist party to continue peace talks -- ABS-CBN

Philippines' Duterte Tthreatens Martial Law To Combat Drug Epidemic

NBC: Philippine President Duterte Threatens to Impose Martial Law

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to impose martial law on the country if he deems it necessary to continue his administration's violent crackdown against illegal drugs.

"I have to protect the Filipino people. It is my duty. And I tell you now, if I have to declare martial law, I will declare it," Duterte said, in a speech before a group businessmen in his hometown of Davao on Saturday night.

"I don't care about the Supreme Court. No one can stop me," he said. "The right to preserve one's life and my nation ... transcends everything else, even the limitations."

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Update #1: Philippines' Duterte: 'No One Can Stop Me' From Declaring Martial Law -- Newsweek/Reuters
Update #2: 'No one can stop me declaring martial law’, Duterte warns amid escalating drug epidemic -- RT

WNU Editor: The denials are coming in .... No martial law; Palace slams ‘misreporting’ (Philstar). On another note .... Duterte orders Philippines troops to bomb extremists along with hostages (AFP).

Philippines Death Squads Are Now Being Linked To The Police

The Guardian: Philippines secret death squads: officer claims police teams behind wave of killings

Exclusive: Thousands of people have been killed since Rodrigo Duterte became president and, according to one officer, secret police teams are partly responsible

“We are not that bad policemen or bad individuals. We are just a tool, we are just angels that God gave talent to, you know, to get these bad souls back to heaven and cleanse them.”

The words flow unnervingly from the mouth of the policeman, a senior officer in the Philippines national police (PNP), as he explains his role in 87 killings in the past three months.

It’s not about killing for pleasure, or being a “homicidal maniac”, he says. There is a higher purpose at play.

“We are here as angels. Like St Michael and St Gabriel, right,” he says.

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WNU editor: Over 3,000 have been killed in the Philippines since 1 July this year, when "Rodrigo Duterte was inaugurated as president and initiated his war on drugs and crime". I suspect this number is going to rise even more so in the months to come.

Philippine President: China, Russia Supportive When He Complained About The U.S.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte leaves the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos September 6, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Reuters: Philippines' Duterte says China, Russia supportive when he complained of U.S.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday he had received support from Russia and China when he complained to them about the United States, in another broadside that could test his increasingly fragile alliance with Washington.

Duterte said that during a meeting on the sidelines of a leaders' summit in Laos last month, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had agreed with him when he railed against the United States.

"I met with Medvedev, I am revealing it to you now," Duterte said in a speech. "I told him this is the situation: They are giving me a hard time, they are disrespecting me; they are shameless

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WNU Editor: To say that the Philippines have elected a "strange" President is (IMHO) an understatement.

Philippine President Duterte Wants An Alliance With China And Russia

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the military's Camp Tecson to talk to soldiers in San Miguel, Bulacan in northern Philippines September 15, 2016. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

Reuters: Philippines' Duterte wants to 'open alliances' with Russia, China

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday he would visit Russia and China this year to chart an independent foreign policy and "open alliances" with two powers with historic rivalries with the United States.

Duterte said the Philippines was at the "point of no return" in its relations with former colonial ruler the United States, so he wanted to strengthen ties with others, and picked two global powers with which Washington has been sparring with on the international political stage.

He last week declared he would soon - and often - visit China, with which ties remain frosty over a South China Sea arbitration ruling won by the Philippines in July. He said Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was expecting him in Moscow.

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WNU Editor: My prediction is that Philippine President Duterte will not get what he wants when he finally sits down and deal with China and Russia. China is not going to bend on their South China Sea claims, and Russia's primary interest is to sell tech and goods to Philippines while avoiding taking a stance on Philippines' border disputes with its neighbours.

More News On Philippine President Duterte Wanting An Alliance With China And Russia

Philippines' Duterte to Forge Closer Ties With China, Russia -- AP
Philippines' Duterte pivots to China, Russia as investors flee -- AFP
Duterte says open to closer ties with China, Russia -- Bangkok Post
Philippines leader Duterte wants to open alliances with US rivals Russia and China -- IBTimes