President Rodrigo Duterte's call for withdrawal of US troops
in Mindanao will only affect a small number of American servicemen, the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday.
"The recent pronouncement will affect only a token
number of American servicemen who are confined mainly in Zamboanga City Philippines
Duterte earlier said US
troops in Mindanao should leave as they could
be kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists.
He added that the military take due notice of the
pronouncement as Duterte's expressed concern for the safety of US Servicemen in
Mindanao .
""Pursuant to the same statement, he desires that
our American counterparts should be eased from harms way. This refers to Western Mindanao (in particular areas like Zamboanga,
Basilan & Sulu) where intense focused military operations combating
terrorism are ongoing," Arevalo said.
The AFP public affairs office chief added that they are yet
to receive any specific directive as to how this pronouncement will be
effected.
"We understand that the implementation of the said
pronouncement is the subject of deliberations by concerned departments like DND
(Department of National Defense) and DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to
mention some," he pointed out.
"We assure our people and allies that PHL-US defense
relations remains rock solid. Activities lined up for the year continue without
interruption. Consultative planning activities for 2017 & beyond likewise
remain on track," Arevalo concluded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=922511
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