U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration provided precision-guided missiles and other weapons to help the Philippines battle Islamic State group-aligned militants and renewed a pledge to defend its treaty ally if it comes under attack in the disputed South China Sea. Trump pledged to provide the US$18 million worth of missiles in a phone conversation with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in April, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said. Duterte had asked Filipino Americans to vote for Trump but congratulated Joe Biden, through his spokesperson, for winning the election. “President Trump is standing with President Duterte as we combat ISIS here in Southeast Asia,” O’Brien said. He said the U.S. stands with the Philippines in its effort to protect its sovereign rights in the South China Sea.

Source: The Standard November 23, 2020 15:00 UTC