This is an alliance I wouldn't mind breaking. Good riddance.
From strategic point of view it would be rather disadvantageous for the United States in the region. Hell, the main reason U.S. was propping up Marcos until shortly before his fall were military bases.
Exactly. Duterte is in a win-win position. He's an ultra-nationalist and grew up in the wing of the Pilipino left which wants to get rid of American influence in the Philippines. And he can yank the President's chain all he wants because he's convinced that America needs the Philippines to counterbalance Chinese geopolitical dominance in East and Southeast Asia. And if America says "go to hell", he'll get to claim that he's fighting for Philippine sovereignty.
