Philippines says 2017 joint military exercise with US to go ahead, later plans to be reviewed

29 September, 2016 | Vietnam News
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (L) and his Vietnam counterpart Tran Dai Quang (R) shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 29, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

HANOI – Filipino officials say the country will go ahead with joint military exercises in 2017 with its treaty ally, the United States, but adds the holding of war games from 2018 onward would have to be reviewed.

The comments made by the country’s foreign minister in Hanoi follows President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement late on Wednesday that joint exercises starting next week would be the last between them.

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said the 2017 drills were agreed by the previous administration and anything beyond then would be reassessed.

He said the Philippines did not want a military ally and wished to be friends with all countries, adding that the South China Sea dispute should be settled sensibly where no country is alienated.

 

– TiVi Tuan-san