Will Duterte last his entire term?

[PresidentSamTilden]

I don't think the US should intervene here, at all, and I doubt we will. Hillary, seriously, no.  Will the Philippine people rise against him though? I hope so, although it will probably be very tough to oust him.

[PresidentSamTilden]

One thing is certain: an intervention would make him a popular hero. Not to mention Filipinos wouldn't be too happy about the U.S. getting in again.

Agreed. All the more so since it seems like he's trying to push the US away by ending the joint military trials. Intervening would make it seem like we were strong arming them to protect our interests.

[PresidentSamTilden]

This is exactly why I want the Chinese to do it

That's really not their style, though. Plus, he's pivoting away from the US, essentially making him a Chinese ally.

[PresidentSamTilden]

Yes. Why would they do an open annexation?

I can't see that benefiting them in any way, lol. No doubt they watched my country make a fool of itself in Iraq and want to avoid a similar fate. China isn't gonna intervene in Philippine internal politics unless they are seriously threatened. The only threat the Philippines can pose to China is mass migration if they collapse.