You can go to hell

Firebrand Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte told US President Barack Obama to "go to hell" yesterday, as he threatened to end his nation's decades-old alliance with the United States in favour of China and Russia.

The fresh tirade came as the Philippines and the United States launched annual war games that Duterte had already warned may be the last of his presidency, in response to US criticism of his deadly war on crime.

"I have lost my respect for America," Duterte said as he complained at length in two speeches about calls by the United States, the United Nations and the European Union to respect human rights.

"Mr Obama, you can go to hell."

Despite the tensions, about 2,000 American and Filipino troops are taking part in the eight-day war games, which will be held partly in waters near the disputed areas of the South China Sea.

Duterte also branded Americans "hypocrites" and warned there may come a time when he would completely break the two nations' alliance, which includes a mutual defence pact, reports AFP.

"Eventually I might in my term, break up with America. I would rather go to Russia or to China. Even if we do not agree with their ideology, they have respect for the people. Respect is important," he said.

Meanwhile, the US State Department spokesman said yesterday Duterte's remarks telling US President Barack Obama to "go to hell" and saying he could get weapons from Russia and China seem at odds with the warm relationship between the Philippine and US people, reports Reuters.

Duterte told Filipinos yesterday that they could not count on the United States, the Philippines' former colonial ruler. "Don't believe in those Americans. they will not fight to die for us," he said.

Military ties between the Philippines and the United States had grown stronger in recent years partly in response to China's expanding presence in the strategically vital South China Sea.