Some might suggest that the leader in the Philippines is trying to put some distance between his country and the USA? See, for example, this article in the Wall Street Journal…

http://www.wsj.com/articles/duterte-signals-shift-in-u-s-philippine-military-alliance-1473774873

How do apparent shifts like these impact cross-cultural workers from traditional missionary-sending lands like the USA and Western Europe? Do new so-called “global south” sending nations see little change in their ability to reach out to nations like the Philippines in times like these? (If you can help explain, just click the “Comment” box following the web version of this item please.)