Richard Heydarian is an Asia-based academic, columnist and author of "The Rise of Duterte: A Populist Revolt Against Elite Democracy" and the "The Indo-Pacific: Trump, China and the New Struggle for Global Mastery."
Opinion
Duterte's U-turn on defense pact with US shows China threat
Philippines realizes it needs VFA protection as Beijing takes advantage of COVID-19
The episode belies long-running accusations that the Filipino leader is nothing but a Chinese puppet. © Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division/AP
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