OPINION: Aside from loans, what support can Xi Jinping give Duterte?

President Duterte takes pride in his being smart on geopolitics. After all, as he more than once told his captive audience, he is a graduate of Foreign Service at the Lyceum University.

Recently, however, he revised it to just say he took up foreign service after he was exposed not to be on the list of those who graduated from Lyceum with a degree in foreign service.

Last Tuesday, he again demonstrated his expertise in geopolitics, belittling the United States for having “lost its will to fight.”

“Amerikano has lost its will to fight. Ang kanila ‘yung puro weapon rin na lang--cruise missile, maybe they also have the supersonic thing. But ‘yung boots on the ground, ‘yung pupunta doon tapos makipag-away tao por tao, takot ang America,” he said at the send-off of the scientists who will conduct a study in Benham Rise, renamed Philippine Rise, which has been declared as by the United Nations as part of the Philippines’ extended continental shelf.

“Hindi mo maasahan ang America,” he said.

He said his knowledge of geopolitics is the reason why he does not insist on the Philippines' claim over features in the Spratlys which are also being claimed by China.

“So naggaganun-ganun ako. I’m playing geopolitics with everybody. Pag ka wala eh di sabihin ko China pwede ka sigurong magdala ng --- ubos na ang mga sundalo ko, maybe you can replace it with about three battalions eh puro armored ‘to lahat. Might as well start with them in the front,” he said.

Besides, Chinese President Xi Jinping, he said, promised to support him against those who will try to oust him. He earlier identified the Central Intelligence Agency as wanting to oust him.

He said: “But the assurances of Xi Jinping was very encouraging, we will not --- ayan, nandiyan ngayon sila --- we will not allow you to be taken out from your office and we will not allow the Philippines to go to the dogs. Siguro kasi freely elected leader naman ako. It could be a very justified statement.”

Former Solicitor Florin Hilbay said on Facebook Duterte’s statement is that of a “Commander in Chief who doesn't trust the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

He added: “That is a President who fears the wrath of fellow citizens. This is a President who remains in power for himself. He will not defend our territories. He will not serve and protect Filipinos.”

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a critic of Duterte, said, “Duterte's statement betrays his paranoia about the state of affairs in his own country. No one is trying to kick him out; he is doing the destabilizing all by himself.”

Fellow Malaya columnist JB Baylon reminded Duterte that it’s the People (and God) who install and remove leaders.

“Other countries can provide loans and/or asylum,” Baylon said.

History is replete with examples of governments providing refuge to their fallen allies.

The United States provided refuge to South Vietnam high officials when Saigon fell to Ho Chi Minh’s forces on April 30, 1975. It also provided asylum to the Shah of Iran who was driven out by angry Iranians inspired by Ayatollah Rohullah Khomeini on January 16, 1979.

And, of course, President Marcos who was brought to Hawaii at the height of the February 1986 People Power Revolution.

China provided asylum to Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk after he was toppled by a military coup in 1970.

Duterte has obtained the loans from China. Will he be availing of the other privilege?

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