Robredo praying Duterte tirades won’t strain int’l relations

With President Rodrigo Duterte launching expletive-laden tirades against the United States (US), the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN), Vice President Leni Robredo expressed concern over the detrimental effects of the President’s attacks on the country’s diplomatic relations, stressing that the Philippines could not stand on its own without help from the international community.

READ: Allies advise Duterte: Mind your mouth

“Parating nandoon ‘yung pangamba kasi sa atin, napakahalaga ng good relations natin with the international community. Marami tayong inaasahang tulong galing sa kanila at bawat insidente na pwedeng magdulot ng strain sa relations na ito, nakakabahala (There is always the concern on my part, because it is very important that we maintain good relations with the international community. We rely on other nations for aid, and every incident that may strain this relation is concerning),” Robredo said in a press briefing at the Office of the Vice President in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Robredo admitted this amid the firebrand president’s fresh tirades against President Barack Obama of US, a long-time ally of the Philippines, the EU and UN, that raised alarm over the increasing deaths in the country since Duterte started his war against drugs and criminality.

“Instead of helping us, the first to criticize is this (US) State Department, so you can go to hell, Mr. Obama, you can go to hell,” Duterte said.

Then addressing the EU, he said: “Better choose purgatory, hell is filled up.”

READ: Duterte to Obama: Go to hell! | Duterte to UN: Stop, I’m the President

Despite Duterte’s controversial remarks, Robredo said international groups did not suspend their support to the government, particularly to its anti-poverty programs.

Robredo said the EU, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations World Food Programme (WFP),United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and World Bank (WB) have all committed to participate in the upcoming Partnerships Against Poverty Summit which the Office of the Vice President organized.

READ: Despite lashing from Duterte, EU gives funds for drug rehab in PH

“Hindi pa naman kami nakakaramdam ng pag-hold ng support (We have not experienced that they are withholding their support)—the kind of support that was promised to us from the start is still there. In fact, excited sila (they are excited) to partner with us,” she said.

But the Vice President said she could not help but “feel anxious” over the “effects of the recent events” to the commitments international aid groups with the government.

“I’m one with everyone in wishing na sana hindi lumala ‘yung situation. Sana mag-improve for the better kasi tayo, hindi tayo nabubuhay na parang isla. Marami tayong pangangailan na hindi natin kaya by ourselves na umaasa tayo sa tulong ng iba,” she said.

(I’m one with everyone in wishing that the situation does not get worse. I hope it improves for the better because do not exist like an island. We have various needs that we cannot achieve by ourselves, so we rely on the help of others.)

READ: Off-track foreign policy

“In fact, marami talaga tayong programa na nakaasa talaga sa tulong ng international community. So kung sa pagkabahala, parati tayong nababahala pero nananalangin tayo na sana hindi siya maging dahilan para i-withdraw ‘yung pag-commit ng support sa atin,” Robredo added.

(In fact, we have many programs that are dependent on the assistance of the international community. So when it comes to worrying, I am really worried, but I am also praying that this does not become a reason for them to withdraw their commitment of support for us.) IDL