DFA Sec. Yasay clarifies that Duterte only wants the US special forces to pull-out from Mindanao for their own good.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement against the presence of American special forces in Mindanao is but for their own protection.
Sec. Yasay said Duterte is not mad of the Americans but his pronouncement was within the context of security of the American soldiers in the region.
The DFA secretary said they have not yet received a “note verbale” and he is confident that the strong ties between the Philippines and the United States of America shall remain.
With regards to the anger of the president, Yasay said that it is anchored on the context of violence that US forces applied upon the natives of Mindanao, the Moro people, just to be able to enter the region where Islam has long been founded.
Meanwhile, constitutional expert, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, said he was shocked to the statements that Duterte made on Monday afternoon, driving the US troops out of Mindanao.
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