Is Duterte making his peace with Beijing?
If Trump is elected, the international perception of America as feckless will be smashed, just as in 1981 when Reagan became President.
Duterte might want to dial back his defiance a couple of months.
Yes, he might be in the process of making peace with Beijing.
Note, its way under the radar but so is Vietnam, which has been even more belligerent vs Beijing. Vietnam has recently been in unofficial but high level bilateral talks with China.
Stuff is moving over there and its not in the direction of the US.