Philippines' President says didn't request US aid to fight militants

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected claims that he asked Americans to help the Southeast Asian country’s military end the Daesh-linked unrest that has been gripping its south.

"I never approached America…. I have not done that. I haven't made an appeal” to the US, Duterte told reporters at a news conference in Cagayan de Oro City, about 100 kilometers from the besieged town of Marawi on Sunday.

Duterte, who came to power a year ago, stood up against US officials who criticized him over his bloody anti-narcotics campaign. The president’s drug war has been criticized by other countries and world bodies as well.

He promised, during the election campaign, to pull the plug on the illegal drugs business in the Philippines.

Duterte has also vowed to eject US military trainers and advisers from the country.

The Philippine military announced on Saturday that US forces were providing technical assistance, but had no "boots on the ground."

It is unclear whether the military sought US help without consulting Duterte.

“I didn't even know that the American government has been providing technical” support to our troops, the president exclaimed.

SS