Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte threatens to terminate aid pact with US

Duterte unleashed a barrage of expletives-laden tiradeafter being criticised by Washington over bloody crackdown on drugs

President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to terminate a pact that allows US troops to visit the Philippines as he reacted with rage to what he thought was a US decision to scrap a major aid package over human rights concerns.

A US government aid agency said this week that its board deferred a vote on a renewal of the development assistance package for the Philippines "subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties."

Duterte, whose administration has been criticised by Washington over a bloody crackdown on illegal drugs, unleashed a barrage of expletives-laden tirade.

 

He said the Philippines can do without US aid, called Americans "hypocrites", while praising China for offering what he said was a huge financial assistance.