AMID reports that the relationship between Philippines and United States (US) was shaken, President Rodrigo Duterte clarified that he only wants the US military out of Mindanao and not in the entire country considering their safety and security.
"The Americans might go outside Mindanao, wala akong sinabing Pilipinas, reviewhin nyo yong tape," Duterte said before the families and relatives of the Roxas Night Market blast victims on Monday at Matina Enclaves, Davao City.
Duterte's clarification came after he called for the withdrawal of US troops in Mindanao, which have earned apprehension for it might be a possible initial move of the government to cut its ties to its long-standing ally.
Duterte made the statement as the US military are in danger of being targeted by Moro extremists in the area because of the historical injustices they hold against Americans.
This came after the US, one of the Philippines' closest and longest allies, questioned the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that have violated human rights (HR) and alarmed international HR groups.
However, the President said in a previous statement that U.S. and Philippines remain to be friends but he reiterated his stand on the need for a paradigm shift in the dealing with its allies.
"We are not cutting our alliances – military (alliances) as well. But certainly, we will follow an independent posture and independent foreign policy," Duterte said.
"Ang mga Amerikano naman, sinasabing pinapaalis sila e di umalis kayo," Duterte dared the US.
Duterte lamented the critics who questioned his revelation of the historical injustices, the Bud Dajo massacre which was participated by the Americans more than a century ago.
This massacre has been the reason for various killings and terrorist attacks of the Moro people.
"It would be terribly wrong, totally wrong just to disregard itong [Bud Dajo massacre] kaya ko pinakita yan. [That is] why there's so much hatred in Mindanao," Duterte said.
"It is not one century ago, still very much alive today. That is why we are fighting here," Duterte added.
As long as there is a presence of US military in Mindanao, Duterte said that there would be several explosions to happen in Mindanao or in any part of the country.
"So it would really be stupid to say, that's 100 years ago, wala na yan, that is past. To the Moro [people], it happened yesterday ganon yan, so puputok yan ng puputok," Duterte said.
Despite the declaration of pulling out of US military presence, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said that Duterte would not pull out any US military aid agreements.
However, Duterte demanded for a forum for the continued interference of the United Nations (UN) in combating illegal drugs in a bloody campaign, saying that he will lecture them himself.
"Matagal na kaming umalis sa inyo (U.S.). Do not try to lecture us about governance and everything after all kayo ang nauna," Duterte said.