President Rodrigo Duterte's repeated tirades against the United States Government and his recent pronouncements of breaking away from the world power may be part of his strategy in negotiating with China, a political analyst said.
"Signalling niya iyon sa China. Gusto niyang sabihin sa China na huwag kayong mag-alala at iba akong presidente hindi ako katulad ng mga predecessors ko," political analyst Prof. Richard Heydarian.
Heydarian added: "Parang sinasabi niya na hindi ako tuta ng ibang powers, independent ako. So 'pag nag-negotiate tayo, tayong dalawa lang hindi kasama ang US."
He also agreed to directly settle the South China Sea territorial disputes between China and the Philippines.