US: Philippines’ Duterte sparking distress around the world

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affair Daniel Russel issues his statement to reporters after meeting with Philippine officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs in suburban Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. Russel has said that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial remarks and a “real climate of uncertainty” about his government’s intentions have sparked consternation in the U.S. and other governments and in the business world. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The top American diplomat in Asia says Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial remarks and a “real climate of uncertainty” about his government’s intentions have sparked distress in the U.S. and other countries.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel said Monday that he also relayed to Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. international concern over continuing killings under Duterte’s crackdown against illegal drugs.

Russel said that while Washington welcomes the relaxation of tensions between Manila and Beijing under Duterte, the rapprochement should not come at the expense of the U.S., the Philippines’ treaty ally.

Russel’s visit to Manila comes amid increasing animosity between the allies as Duterte tries to scale back U.S. military engagement with his country and reaches out to China.