Philippine's President Duterte to US Troops: Leave Mindanao or Abus Will Kill You

Nothing in my comment above suggests that the Chinese or Russians providing assistance comes with no strings attached.

Although that may, indeed, be the case.

This, given that the Chinese and/or the Russians -- minus any direct/tangible "quid pro quo" from the Philippines and/or others seeking their assistance -- may be happy to have (a) simply made their case and (b) at the U.S./the West's great expense.

(This case being: That they, unlike the "evangelistic"/"expansionist" West, make no such similar political, economic, social and/or value "reform" demands/suggestions re: their assistance.)

By being able to make this exceptional point -- in front of the entire world -- and by being able, thus, to (a) favorably distinguish themselves from the U.S./the West and, thus, (b) rub salt into the U.S./the West "soft power" liability/"Achilles heel" wound; these folks (the Chinese, the Russians, etc.) may feel that they have been "compensated" -- not only enough -- but quite well indeed.

Herein, the Russians, the Chinese, etc. -- by way of these such gestures -- gaining greater access, influence, etc., throughout the entire Rest of the World? (i.e., "payment" enough?)

Potential Bottom Line:

In the Old Cold War of yesterday, and re: the Soviets/the communists' "evangelistic"/ "expansionist" efforts back then, this (demanding/suggesting political, economic, social and value change) was THEIR exceptionally well-known "soft power" liability/"Achilles heel" weakness. One which we exploited (for example, by "hanging with the dictators") to our fullest advantage.

In the New/Reverse Cold War of today (the U.S./the West now in "evangelistic"/"expansionist" mode), the Chinese, the Russians, etc. -- having adopted our very own tried and proven "non-demand" tactics -- these folks may have effectively turned the tables against us.

Herein proving to themselves, their own populations and, indeed, to entire Rest of the World that -- re: the U.S./the West's "evangelistic"/"expansionist" designs -- our "soft power (the appeal of our way of life, our way of governance, etc.); this is:

a. No more of an asset than their "soft power" was during the Old Cold War and

b. Just as much of a liability?

In this light (our "soft power" has failed us/is a liability; Russia, China, etc., [a] pointing this out and [b] taking full advantage of same), to understand why the U.S./the West -- and re: its "expansionist" designs for the Rest of the World -- is now having to consider its "hard power" options/requirements; such as, those associated with political warfare, and unconventional warfare employed in the service of same?

You're really saying the Chinese and Russians provide assistance without strings attached. And you're maintaining a straight face?

This is just plain back-room politics. There's something on Mindanao -- no doubt with local political and/or economic implications -- that Duterte wants to conceal from the U.S. without poisoning the relationship, so all of the sudden there's a mortal threat to American advisors there.

The implication that we should provide assistance without benefit to the U.S. is ludicrous. Access, influence, or behavior. Duterte doesn't want the Chinese taking over -- in the long run they're more of a threat than the U.S. So this is just posturing -- next week, he'll be proposing joint maneuvers with the Navy because the Chinese are muscling Filipino fishing boats.