Philippine Leader Affirms US Alliance but Wants Troops Out - The New York Times - 0 views
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The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed to cooperate in promoting regional peace and stability and acknowledged the importance of their alliances with the U.S
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Japan is a staunch U.S. ally and hosts 50,000 American troops, while Duterte has repeatedly spoken of distancing his country from Washington, often in crude terms.
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The presence of U.S. troops in five Philippine military camps was established under a security deal signed under Duterte's predecessor as a counter to China's growing military assertiveness in the region.
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"The South China Sea issue is directly linked to the region's peace and stability and a matter of interest for the entire international society,"
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canceling planned joint military exercises with the United States, and preparatory meetings for next year's joint combat exercises between American and Filipino forces
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Officials declined to provide details of their second round of talks, in which Abe was expected to ask Duterte specifically about his foreign policy. Their joint statement focused largely on Japan's contribution to Philippine maritime security and other projects totaling a 21 billion yen ($210 million) loan.