Duterte tells US, EU to 'go ahead' and withdraw assistance, says Philippines will not beg

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte with members of the Philippine Army during his visit at the army headquarters in Taguig city on Oct 4, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

MANILA (REUTERS) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday (Oct 6) told the United States and the European Union that if they were unhappy with his drugs war and wished to withdraw their assistance to his country, they should "go ahead".

"I do not expect the human rights (groups), I do not expect (US President Barack) Obama, I do not expect the EU to understand me," he said in a televised speech at an awards ceremony for police in southern Mindanao province.

He said, "... if you think it is high time for you guys to withdraw your assistance, go ahead we will not beg for it."

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