US wants Duterte’s ‘separation’ pledge clarifiedUnited States officials are seeking clarification on President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that about “separation” from the U.S., which they said is creating “unnecessary uncertainty.”This, even as the U.S. reiterated it will continue to honor its alliance commitments and treaty obligations despite Duterte’s strong statements against the country’s longtime ally. She also announced the upcoming visit to the Philippines of Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel R. Russel on October 22–25. Aside from his meeting with government officials, Russel is also scheduled to have lunch with Filipino participants to the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). “The US has a very strong commitment to the Philippines. But we can’t say what is the case on the Philippine side,” he said.

Source: Manila Bulletin October 21, 2016 07:41 UTC