Trump Likes Rodrigo Duterte Much More Than U.S. Intelligence Agencies, and the Philippines Is Concerned

Officials in the Philippines lashed out on Wednesday, saying that they are very concerned with a recent U.S. intelligence report that labeled its strongman President Rodrigo Duterte a threat to regional democracy.

The assessment has made it 鈥渧ery difficult to be friendly鈥?with the U.S., Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement. 鈥淧resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte is no autocrat or has autocratic tendencies. He adheres to the rule of law and remains loyal to the constitution,鈥澛爃e continued, adding that the Duterte ad distribution Line Monitoring ministration views the report with 鈥渟ome concern.鈥?/p>

The government statement also suggested that the Philippines takes the report more seriously because it came from the inte Wireless ATM lligence community and not the State Department, and hinted that the Asian nation鈥檚 top leadership is concerned the U.S. may decide to meddle in the country鈥檚 internal affairs.

The intelligence report, released on February 13 by the Office of the Director聽of National Intelligence, highlights the Philippine president鈥檚 threats to suspend the constitution, declare a revolutionary government聽and impose a nationwide martial law. He has also pledged not to stay in office after his term limit ends in 2022, saying he would rather the military shoot him dead than continue to rule the country.聽