Philippines cease joint South China Sea patrols with US

Philippines cease joint South China Sea patrols with US

This was stated by the Minister of Defense of the Philippines Delfin Loreanza.

He added that, in connection with the presidential decree,  not only maritime patrol, but also any other joint action with the United States is to be stopped, including exercises in disputed territories with China in the South China Sea.

In addition, 107 US soldiers operating drones used against the Islamists, were ordered to leave the southern region of the country as soon as the Philippines will acquire its own drone systems.

The Minister stressed that this will happen in the near future.

Earlier, Rodrigo Duterte said that the US-Philippine exercises taking place now will be the last.

Moreover, he refused to export American weapons, preferring  Chinese or Russian ones.