PHILIPPINES INSURGENCY
Rodrigo Duterte denies ever asking US for help to fight IS militants
Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday he did not seek support from Washington to end the siege of a southern Philippines town by Islamist militants, a day after the US said it was providing assistance at the request of the government. Duterte told reporters in Cagayan de Oro City, about 100km from the besieged town of Marawi, that he had "never approached America" for help. When asked about US support to fight the pro-Islamic State militants in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, Duterte said he was "not aware of that until they arrived". The co-operation between the longtime allies in the battle is significant because Duterte, who came to power a year ago, has taken a hostile stance towards Washington and has vowed to eject US military trainers and advisers from his country. It is unclear whether the pro-US military went over Duterte’s head in seeking US help. The Philippines military said on Saturday US forces were providing technical assis...
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