U.S. seeks clarity on Philippine president's “separation” comments

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. has said it will seek clarity on the Philippine president's announcement of a "separation from the U.S.", BBC News reports.

Rodrigo Duterte made the comments in China on Thursday, October 20 at an economic forum, saying the separation applied to military and economic co-operation.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the remarks were "at odds" with the "close relationship" shared by the countries.

This is not the first mention of a separation from the U.S. by Mr Duterte.

But on Monday, the Philippine Secretary of Trade and Ministry Ramon Lopez told the BBC the Philippines would not be stopping trade and investments with the U.S..

"We are still maintaining relationship with the West, but we are reducing or doing away with too much dependence," said Mr Lopez, who is in Beijing as part of Mr Duterte's visit.

Relations between China and the Philippines had deteriorated over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, after an international tribunal sided with Manila and rejected Beijing's claims.

On Thursday, the two countries said they would restart dialogue to resolve the dispute.

Although Mr Duterte maintained fiery rhetoric towards Beijing during his presidential campaign, he switched to a more reconciliatory tone after taking power in June.

Mr Duterte also recently said he would end joint military exercises with the U.S..

And he has admonished the U.S. for criticising him over his bloody war against drugs that has been linked with thousands of extrajudicial killings, and said U.S. President Barack Obama could "go to hell".