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TAYSAN, Batangas—Taking a contrary stance from the anti-American rhetoric of President Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo said the assistance provided by the US military in quelling unrest in Marawi City was proof of why the Philippines should continue to nurture its relationship with its traditional ally.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to this remote mountainous town, the Vice President said she was thankful to the United States for helping out Philippine forces in fighting militants from the Maute group in the Muslim-majority city.
“That’s the essence of the community of nations. In times of trouble, we help each other. This is the reason it’s important to cultivate relationships with other countries,” she said.
Meanwhile, China welcomed “in principle” the United States’ assistance to Philippine troops battling Islamist extremists in Marawi City but stressed that it should “respect Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
“We support President Duterte’s counterterrorism operations. We believe that under President Duterte’s leadership, the Philippine government will stabilize the local situation at an early date and keep the Mindanao region safe and stable,” China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a news conference on Monday.
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