U.S. and Philippine forces on Monday began their largest annual military exercises since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power and vowed to scale down America's military presence in the country as he sought closer ties with China and Russia. The drills "will continue to reinforce the deep and lasting commitment between our two countries for a peaceful and secure region." A leaked Philippine transcript of a call between the two leaders last year showed Trump praising Duterte's anti-drug efforts. Though this year's Balikatan exercises will be the largest under Duterte, Philippine officials stressed they're not aimed at China, but at the threat of urban terrorism and other man-made crises and natural disasters. "Our job is to be ready whether that threat is man-made or whether that threat is mother nature," Marine Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson said.

Source: ABC News May 07, 2018 07:34 UTC