STOCKHOLM, Sweden, (The Adobo Chronicles, Berlin Bureau) – For standing between two of the most powerful feuding nations of the world, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The announcement came in Stockholm just hours after Duterte announced that he was withdrawing his earlier decision to end the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States in his country. The VFA allows American military forces to come and go and use Philippine facilities for bilateral training or military exercises.

Duterte has also maintained cordial relations with China, despite the ongoing territorial dispute over areas of the West Philippine Sea and his country’s victory in a United Nation’s arbitration court.

“By standing between the U.S. and China, Duterte has diffused the conflict between the two powerful countries and has practically averted the possibility of war,” a Nobel Prize statement said.. “We commend Duterte’s peace efforts which we hope will be recognized by the Nobel Peace Price committee,” it added.