The author of the first biography of Rodrigo Duterte says the maverick Philippine president was gravitating toward China partly because of a personal animosity toward the United States and its criticisms of his human rights record.

The British journalist said Duterte would like the Philippines to be part of a new sphere that included China and Russia and abandon the old alliances including with the United States, the country's former colonial power.

Many Filipinos are unsettled by Duterte moving away from the United States and closer to China, which aggressively contests the Philippines' territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Miller approached Duterte to be interviewed for the biography.

The Russian navy has visited Manila three times since Duterte vowed to diversify the country's ties away from the United States and toward China and Russia.

Duterte supports Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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