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Agence France-Presse

The Philippines’ military chief hailed the United States as his nation’s “number one ally” and announced a return of regular war games, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for warmer ties.
Duterte last week vowed to be “friendly” with the US, signalling an end to relentless criticism that included a pledge to end all joint military exercises and calling then president Barack Obama a “son of a whore”.
Military chief General Eduardo Ano, returning from Hawaii where he met US Pacific Command chief Admiral Harry Harris last week, said on Thursday the allies had agreed to increase joint military exercises for 2018, after they were scaled down this year.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte changes his tune on US

“The president said: ‘I want to be friendlier to the US’. So we have a closer relationship and more exercises,” Ano told reporters in Manila.
“He [Duterte] said to continue engagement with the United States. They are still our number one ally.”
Ano said the joint exercises next year would focus on counterterrorism, disaster response and even territorial defence.
As he sought to loosen his nation’s alliance with the US, Duterte also looked to build warmer relations with China and Russia.
During a visit to Beijing a year ago he announced his nation’s “separation” from the United States, and later explained he was angry at Obama for criticising his war on drugs, which has since seen thousands killed and prompted rights groups to warn Duterte may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.
Duterte said last week the dispute was “water under the bridge”, as he thanked the US for helping the Philippines fight Islamic militants who have occupied parts of the southern city of Marawi since May.
Philippines dismisses West’s joint stand against President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs

The US has provided intelligence, weapons and training to local forces trying to retake Marawi.
The fighting has claimed more than 900 lives and raised fears that Islamic State is trying to establish a Southeast Asian base in the Philippines.
Ano said on Thursday the Philippines would still pursue closer defence ties with China.
Ano was speaking at a ceremony at which China turned over 3,000 assault rifles and ammunition worth 168 million pesos (US$3.2 million) to the Philippine military for use in fighting terrorism.
“The US is not our enemy. China is not our enemy. Our utmost priority is the interest of the country,” Ano said.


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Rodrigo Duterte

‘Still our number one ally’: Philippines hails US, welcomes war games after Duterte vows closer ties

Philippine army general is handed a grenade launcher from the US army as part of America’s help in the fight against Islamic militants in Marawi. The Philippines has hailed the United States as its “number one ally” and announced a return of regular war games, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for warmer ties. Photo: AP

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (2nd from L), with H.E. Zhao Jianhua (2nd from R), ambassador of People's Republic of China to the Philippines and General Eduardo Ano (R), Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, inspects automatic rifles during the turnover ceremony of China's urgent military assistance to the Philippines at the military camp in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon city, metro Manila, Philippines October 5, 2017. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

A U.S. soldier (R) of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team gives instruction to his counterpart from the Philippine military during the annual "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games with Filipino soldiers at a military camp, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija in northern Philippines April 20, 2015. Philippine and U.S. soldiers began their biggest combined military exercise in 15 years on Monday, in a demonstration of Washington's commitment to its long-time ally as it rebalances to Asia in the face of China's expansion in the South China Sea. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

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Military chief said the two countries had agreed to increase joint exercises for 2018, after they were scaled down this year


The Philippines

‘Still our number one ally’: Philippines hails US, welcomes war games after Duterte vows closer ties

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Military chief said the two countries had agreed to increase joint exercises for 2018, after they were scaled down this year

Military chief said the two countries had agreed to increase joint exercises for 2018, after they were scaled down this year