China denies recruiting ‘sleeper cell’ military members in the Philippines
China denies recruiting ‘sleeper cell’ military members in the Philippines
“We don’t know, it was a secret agreement. We don’t know anything about it. There is no documentation, no record.”
Barry Gutierrez, who was a spokesman of former vice-president Leni Robredo, said: “I think the break-up [between the Marcos and Duterte families] has already happened. What we’re witnessing now is simply the forced politeness. I expect this facade to crack and the angry screaming to start soon.”
Gutierrez told This Week in Asia that the two families’ relations have “almost completely eroded” as Marcos Jnr’s appointment of three caretakers in his absence was “a very public message that VP Sara does not enjoy the same level of trust she once did within the administration”.
Activists slam Sino-US rivalry in Philippines’ maritime zone in South China Sea
Activists slam Sino-US rivalry in Philippines’ maritime zone in South China Sea
Marcos Jnr did not need to be briefed on a matter that was publicly known to be the Duterte administration’s policy, Roque Jnr said. “He’s horrified about something he doesn’t know? He’s really funny.”
The former congressman argued the president was “deflecting [public opinion] away from issues” that have affected his popularity such as inflation but declined to comment about relations between the two clans.
Duterte’s China stance
Political veterans told This Week in Asia that the latest developments are further signs of the irreconcilable differences between the two families.
“I think there is, and has been, a real difference in foreign policy positioning between Marcos Jnr and Duterte,” Gutierrez said.
“Marcos Jnr was always going to cleave closer to our traditional Western allies in contrast to Duterte’s pivot to China. That said, public expressions of ‘horror’ in politics always have some element of theatre to them.
“Marcos Jnr is drawing a line between himself and Duterte regarding the West Philippine Sea issue. It doesn’t hurt that a significant majority of Filipinos support a US alliance to counter Chinese aggression in the WPS,” he said.
As Duterte-Carpio remains “fairly popular”, Marcos Jnr could not just boot her out from his cabinet, according to Gutierrez.
Gutierrez said the Dutertes are unwilling to say anything that might even be “remotely construed” as criticism against Beijing. “The question must be asked, is this reluctance due to some form of benefit they are receiving from China?”
Philippines readies for ‘cyberwar’ against Chinese hackers after latest attacks
Philippines readies for ‘cyberwar’ against Chinese hackers after latest attacks
Former senator Antonio Trillanes believed that “China is helping” the Duterte family in political matters.
The alliance between the two families “unofficially broke up” a year ago after Duterte-Carpio abruptly resigned as chair of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and her close ally Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was removed as deputy speaker over suspicions that she was trying to unseat the president’s cousin and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, said Trillanes.
University of the Philippines political science professor Jean Franco also noted that the bond between the clans is now “strained” but “civil”, citing a recent trip when First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos ignored Duterte-Carpio when the vice-president was waiting in line to say goodbye to the Marcoses.
The situation will become much clearer when candidates state their intention to run in next year’s congressional and local elections, including those aligned with the Marcoses and Dutertes, Franco said.