DAVAO CITY – Vice President Sara Duterte stressed on Wednesday, June 25, the need for the Philippines to maintain an independent foreign policy and avoid getting involved in the growing United States-China rivalry in the South China Sea.

In response to a question on Washington’s role in regional disputes via a Zoom with Russia Today, Vice President Duterte said the Philippines must avoid aligning itself too closely with either global power.

“Our Constitution clearly states that we should have an independent foreign policy. Our relationship with the US and our relationship with China should be two separate engagements,” Vice President Duterte said.

The Vice President expressed concern over the  administration’s perceived tilt towards Washington in managing maritime disputes with Beijing, describing it as a move that could alienate China.

“Right now, the administration is clearly leaning toward the US while pushing China away. I’ve asked for clarity on where our independent foreign policy stands in all this,” she said.

Vice President Duterte argued that the Philippines, as a middle power, should avoid getting entangled in what she called a “game of supremacy and domination” between two major powers.

“To play that game, you need money and power, which we don’t have now. We’ll get there in the future, but not now. We should stay in the middle,” the Vice President said.

She reiterated that Manila should treat its ties with Washington and Beijing as separate and distinct, rather than relying on one to solve disputes with the other.

Vice President Duterte’s remarks come amid ongoing maritime tensions and increased joint military activities between the Philippines and the United States, actions that have drawn sharp criticism from Beijing.