Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to go to great lengths to clear out foreign troops from his country within two years, in a clear reference to American troops.
On the likelihood of the United States cancelling aid, Mr Duterte told some 1,000 businessmen at an economic forum in Tokyo yesterday his country will survive without US assistance. "That is what America wants me to be. A dog barking for the crumbs of their favour," he said.
At a summit meeting later, he assured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the Philippines will work with Japan to seek a peaceful solution in the South China Sea through the rule of law.
