DSWD chief: Duterte open to dealing with other countries, but...

President Rodrigo Duterte remains open to fostering relationships with other countries although he has had enough of nations who treat the Philippines like beggars.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said this was what Duterte meant when he declared that the Philippines will pursue an independent foreign policy under his administration.

“Ang message niya (Duterte) is very clear: He doesn’t want to deal with countries who treat us as mendicants, who treat us as second [class] citizens, who treat us like little brown brothers. But he’s open to foreign relationships, to building new relationships on the basis [of] mutual benefit and non-interference in internal affairs,” she said in a press conference Tuesday.

Taguiwalo made the statement in response to a question on whether she thinks the Philippines would survive the absence of foreign aid should it be withdrawn by international entities over Duterte’s statements against them in connection with his administration’s war against illegal drugs.

She expressed belief that Duterte remains open to maintaining diplomatic ties with other countries “on the basis of equality.”

“Ang sinasabi niya (Duterte), yung US and EU may problema siya but open naman siya sa ibang bansa. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has been very good, basta ASEAN walang problema kasi nga equal,” Taguiwalo said.

Last week, Duterte dared US, EU and the UN— which have expressed concern about his administration’s anti-drug strategy— to withdraw their aid to the Philippines since they do not understand the magnitude of the drug problem in the country.

“I do not expect human rights, I do not expect Obama, I do not expect the EU to understand me. Do not understand me. And if you think it’s high time for you to withdraw assistance, go ahead. We will not beg for it,” the President said in a speech in Butuan City.

Despite Duterte’s pronouncement, Taguiwalo said no international group has expressed intention to stop giving assistance to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“So far, wala pa namang nagsasabi na hindi na sila magbibigay ng tulong o babawiin na. We’re happy for that,” she said.

Taguiwalo, however, maintained that no strings should be attached to foreign entities’ desire to help the Philippines.

“Ang humanitarian assistance dapat hindi conditional. Kung talagang ang objective ay talagang matulungan ang kapwa tao na ma-address ang mga delubyo, hindi dapat may kondisyon na may hihingin kami sa inyo,” she said. —ALG, GMA News