That would be a bad assumption then because historically what happened was China built multiple airbase with 3000 m runways capable of hosting strategic aircraft as they watched and did nothing, all within the past 10 years.
There are a lot of rumblings early on because of nepotism exhibited by her wife.
I always got the impression Duterte was a real man's man, but I had no idea the extent of loyalty he inspired.
I have a friend working inside the National Security Council (that SOB want to recruit me as a sleeper cells agent and I flatly refuse
) He stated that there are rumblings especially of junior officers as their promotion had been politicized, too many generals commanding to few troops.So you mean that Duterte could probably pull off a coup against Marcos if he wants to?I have a friend working inside the National Security Council (that SOB want to recruit me as a sleeper cells agent and I flatly refuse
When Duterte left office the AFP was well equip to defend the country from domestic terrorism and insurgency, he is well like cause he doubled the salaries of active duty personnel that the previous and past administration considered as impossible and inflationary. He delivered from his campaign promise and show that there is MONEY available IF a gov't is not corrupt with a leader who has strong political will.
And also he show empathy with ordinary troops, visiting the wounded and attending the wake of every soldiers that died while performing their duty. (previous presidents and Marcos doesn't see the need to do so) He also abolished corruption inside the logistic department by shaming those official publicly for the delaying the release of fund, all of these action endeared himself with the military.
2018 doubles the base pay of a Police Officer (PO) I in the Philippine National Police or a Private in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and ...
Jan 9, 2018 — The doubling of salaries of soldiers and police was among Duterte's major campaign promises when he ran for president in 2016. The increase ...
The Airforce received Shiny new toys like the Sikorsky S70i black hawk had been purchase not the second hand Huey that breaks down a lot, T129 ATAK our first modern gunship, and fighter aircraft. ( Before PAF (Philippine Air Force) is known as more Air than Force) new ship for the Navy, The Army had been boosted by more firepower through acquisition of brand new artillery and Armor, logistically the troops can be sustainable supply for long duration in the field, preventing casualties from ambushed as BEFORE the troop need to go back to barracks for resupply.
So I hope this answer your question about the Extent of loyalty he inspired which is massive inside the 3 major services in the AFP.
He can and he will but NOT until he see an immediate arm escalation happening, his talk with Xi is to established a line of communication to prevent such eventuality. You see Duterte is a lawyer, he will follow the constitution unless their is a grave national threat. His slogan during the war on drugs amplify his thinking "If you Destroy My Country I will Kill You"
He is a constitutionalist, he can do it if he want too BUT why tarnish his legacy and become a tyrant cause for sure there will opposition and he may used force to maintain his rule. Beside he is too old for the job and he can wield more power behind the scene as a king maker. He will used that political influence in 2025 election and you will see a lot of political butterfly change color and kowtow to him.
No. From what I have read, Philippines military (or at least the high brass) is controlled/heavily-influenced by the US
They were trained in the US, some studied there, before Duterte time the Military function on a subsistence level budget, corruption is so ripe and most of their equipment are US hand me down from FMS (we look exactly like a US army in the 60's). When you are in field and you get wounded chances are you may die before being evacuated, MEDEVAC using refurbished Huey killed more men than the NPA and other Muslim insurgent as they crashed more often. The military high brass use the military to enriched themselves and a gateway to entered politics, its a way for social mobility in an oligarch society. While some junior officer make use of it to gain an American Green Card.
