Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday he was not aware the US government was providing assistance to government troops in its battle against Islamist militants in a southern city. Duterte also said he "never approached America" for help. "I am not aware of that until they arrived," Duterte told a media briefing when asked about US support to fight the pro-Islamic State militants in Marawi City. US forces were providing the Philippines with technical assistance, but they had no "boots on the ground", the Philippines military said on Saturday. Also Read:US joins battle as Philippines takes losses in besieged city

Source: India Today June 11, 2017 10:07 UTC