MANILA: The Philippines announced Friday it had officially informed the United States that joint patrols in the South China Sea patrols had been suspended, following orders from President Rodrigo Duterte. The longtime allies began planning joint patrols under the previous Philippine government, which had sought to attract a greater US military presence in the region to counter Chinese efforts to take control of the South China Sea. Lorenzana said the United States and Philippines had conducted two “passing through” manoeuvres over the section of the sea claimed by Manila this year, but not actual “combat patrols”. So the announcement that the joint patrols had been suspended was the first public confirmation that one of Duterte’s anti-US comments had become policy. But he did say the Philippines was planning to eject the US forces in the southern Philippines in the “near future”, as he disclosed details of their normally secretive activities.

Source: Manila Times October 07, 2016 12:33 UTC