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Philippines tells US no joint patrols in South China Sea

MANILA- The Philippine defense chief said Friday that the US military has been told that plans for joint patrols and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea have been put on hold as the country's new president desires.

 

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also said that 107 US troops involved in operating surveillance drones against Muslim militants would be asked to leave the southern part of the country when the Philippines acquires those intelligence-gathering capabilities in the near future.

 

Additionally, President Rodrigo Duterte wants to halt the 28 Philippine military exercises carried out with US forces each year, Lorenzana said. Duterte has said he wants an ongoing US-Philippine combat exercise to be the last in his six-year presidency as he backs away from what he views as too much dependence on the US

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.07.16, 10:50