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Rodrigo Duterte ‘never approached America for’ help in fight against militants
THE United States has stepped in to help the Phillppines in its battle against a dangerous terrorist insurgency linked to Islamic State in the country’s south.
But in a confusing twist, President Rodrigo Duterte insists he didn’t actually seek the help of the US in the first place.
Duterte told a news conference in Cagayan de Oro City, around an hour from the besieged town of Marawi, that he “never approached America” for help.
The President was asked about the US support given to fight the pro-Islamic State militants in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, but told reporters he was “not aware of that until they arrived,” Reuters reported.
The battle to regain control of the city comes three weeks after militants from Maute and the Abu Sayyaf militant group stormed the southern city which saw Duterte declare the island of Mindanao under martial law.
A US embassy spokesman in Manila said US special forces are helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end the siege, which now in its third week.
Philippine security forces in Marawi City inspect empty houses and a hospital for guns and ammunition which the enemy might use against them. Picture: Jes Aznar/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
“The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines, and we will continue to work with the Philippines to address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries, including on counter-terrorism issues,” the spokesman said.
Philippine security forces inspect houses within the vicinity of a military camp and a hospital for guns and ammunition in Marawi city. Picture: Jes Aznar/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
Philippine military officials confirmed the involvement of the US military in helping to end the urban uprising at the request of its own government.
The Pentagon said it was providing Philippine forces with security assistance and training in the areas of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
US forces are not participating in combat operations which is prohibited by Philippine law.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte consoles a relative of one of one of 13 slain marines killed in battle on June 9. Picture: Ted Aljbe/AFPSource:AFP
Under martial law the President has the power over the military and while not saying whether they had gone over his head he admitted his soldiers were “pro-American”.
However it remains unclear if pro-American military went over Duterte’s head in seeking help.
The apparent co-operation comes after a tense year between the once-close allies after Duterte has taken a hostile approach to Washington.
He even vowed to eject US military trainers and advisers from his country, Reuters reported.
TERROR INSURGENCY
The seizure of Marawi by hundreds of fighters who have sworn allegiance to Islamic State, including dozens from neighbouring countries and the Middle East, has fuelled concern that the ultraradical group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.
Philippine military officials claim the latest violence has left at least 138 militants and 58 government troops dead.
A resident who escaped from Marawi City is frisked by local police as part of their security processing. Picture: Jes Aznar/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
At least 21 civilians have been killed, including a boy who was hit by suspected militant gunfire inside a Marawi mosque where his family had taken refuge.
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the city, parts of which were reduced to rubble by fighting and government air strikes in an attempt to dislodge the rebels.
Around 200 militants remain holed up in a corner of the town and up to 1000 people are trapped.
Some are being held as human shields, while others are hiding in their homes with no access to running water, electricity or food.
A Philippine Marine holds an M60 machine gun during a handover ceremony of weapons from the US military in Manila last week. The United States have given counter-terrorism weapons to help the Philippine military fight Islamic militants. Picture: Ted Aljibe/AFPSource:AFP
The Marawi siege followed a May 23 army raid that failed to capture a top terror suspect, Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated by the Islamic State group as its leader in Southeast Asia.
Hapilon is on Washington’s list of most-wanted terrorists with a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Military official claim the raid pre-empted a plot by hundreds of militants waving Islamic State group-style black flags to capture Marawi and kill Christians.
http://www.news.com.au/world/asia/r...s/news-story/a7e5ebe5a8b5c21f1fc0fbd2864af98b
THE United States has stepped in to help the Phillppines in its battle against a dangerous terrorist insurgency linked to Islamic State in the country’s south.
But in a confusing twist, President Rodrigo Duterte insists he didn’t actually seek the help of the US in the first place.
Duterte told a news conference in Cagayan de Oro City, around an hour from the besieged town of Marawi, that he “never approached America” for help.
The President was asked about the US support given to fight the pro-Islamic State militants in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, but told reporters he was “not aware of that until they arrived,” Reuters reported.
The battle to regain control of the city comes three weeks after militants from Maute and the Abu Sayyaf militant group stormed the southern city which saw Duterte declare the island of Mindanao under martial law.
A US embassy spokesman in Manila said US special forces are helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end the siege, which now in its third week.
Philippine security forces in Marawi City inspect empty houses and a hospital for guns and ammunition which the enemy might use against them. Picture: Jes Aznar/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
“The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines, and we will continue to work with the Philippines to address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries, including on counter-terrorism issues,” the spokesman said.
Philippine security forces inspect houses within the vicinity of a military camp and a hospital for guns and ammunition in Marawi city. Picture: Jes Aznar/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
Philippine military officials confirmed the involvement of the US military in helping to end the urban uprising at the request of its own government.
The Pentagon said it was providing Philippine forces with security assistance and training in the areas of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
US forces are not participating in combat operations which is prohibited by Philippine law.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte consoles a relative of one of one of 13 slain marines killed in battle on June 9. Picture: Ted Aljbe/AFPSource:AFP
Under martial law the President has the power over the military and while not saying whether they had gone over his head he admitted his soldiers were “pro-American”.
However it remains unclear if pro-American military went over Duterte’s head in seeking help.
The apparent co-operation comes after a tense year between the once-close allies after Duterte has taken a hostile approach to Washington.
He even vowed to eject US military trainers and advisers from his country, Reuters reported.
TERROR INSURGENCY
The seizure of Marawi by hundreds of fighters who have sworn allegiance to Islamic State, including dozens from neighbouring countries and the Middle East, has fuelled concern that the ultraradical group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.
Philippine military officials claim the latest violence has left at least 138 militants and 58 government troops dead.
A resident who escaped from Marawi City is frisked by local police as part of their security processing. Picture: Jes Aznar/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
At least 21 civilians have been killed, including a boy who was hit by suspected militant gunfire inside a Marawi mosque where his family had taken refuge.
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the city, parts of which were reduced to rubble by fighting and government air strikes in an attempt to dislodge the rebels.
Around 200 militants remain holed up in a corner of the town and up to 1000 people are trapped.
Some are being held as human shields, while others are hiding in their homes with no access to running water, electricity or food.
A Philippine Marine holds an M60 machine gun during a handover ceremony of weapons from the US military in Manila last week. The United States have given counter-terrorism weapons to help the Philippine military fight Islamic militants. Picture: Ted Aljibe/AFPSource:AFP
The Marawi siege followed a May 23 army raid that failed to capture a top terror suspect, Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated by the Islamic State group as its leader in Southeast Asia.
Hapilon is on Washington’s list of most-wanted terrorists with a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Military official claim the raid pre-empted a plot by hundreds of militants waving Islamic State group-style black flags to capture Marawi and kill Christians.
http://www.news.com.au/world/asia/r...s/news-story/a7e5ebe5a8b5c21f1fc0fbd2864af98b