Former President, Manila Mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada said he understands where President is coming from because he also experienced interference from the US when he was still head of the state.
"Tama naman ginagawa ni Pangulong Duterte, bakit sila nakikiaalam? We are a sovereign country. We have our own Constitution," he said.
But he quickly noted that Duterte's announcement might "expose him to political risks such as the US moving to oust him from office."
"Iyon ang pangamba ko. Sa akin nga, ginawa," said Estrada, referring to his 2001 ouster which he believes the US government had a hand in.
The former president said the US tried to "coax him into doing what they wanted." He cited the war he waged against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2000, which then US Defense Secretary William Cohen allegedly asked him to stop.
"Iyong laban ko noon sa MILF, pinakialaman ako, pinatitigil ako," he said.
"When they suddenly removed me, pinabayaan nila MILF, kaya iyon, nagtuluy-tuloy pa rin sa pambobomba," he added.
This, he said, is why he supports the country's move to realign with China.
"Kasi ang China, hindi nakikialam sa atin, sa ating independence," Former President Erap Estrada said.