US says aircraft to help Philippines fight pro-ISIS militants
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MANILA -- The United States has been providing the Philippines with surveillance capabilities, training, information and aircraft to help it fight a monthslong siege of a southern city by pro-Islamic State group militants, the top U.S. diplomat said Monday as he prepared to meet the country's polarizing president.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in Manila for a regional gathering, said the equipment includes a few Cessna aircraft and a few drones. He said they'll help the Philippines battle "an enemy that fights in a way that most people have never had to deal with."
"We think they are beginning to get that situation under control," Tillerson told reporters. "But the real challenge is going to come with once they have the fighting brought to an end how to deal with the conditions on the ground to ensure it does not re-emerge."
