THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) took the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to withdraw US troops in Mindanao as "an expression of concern for their safety."
In an emailed statement furnished to VoxPop Davao Tuesday, AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. said they took due notice of their commander-in-chief expressing his concern on the safety of US servicemen in Mindanao.
"Pursuant to the same statement, he (Duterte) desires that our American counterparts should be eased from harm's way," Padilla said.
Padilla was pertaining to Western Mindanao in particular including Zamboanga, Basilan and Sulu, where intense focused military operations combating terrorism are ongoing.
Padilla said the call of the President will affect only a token number of American servicemen who are in Zamboanga City.
These American servicemen provide the technical assistance and trainings to their Filipino counterparts in combating terrorism in the Philippines.
"We have yet to receive any specific directive as to how this pronouncement will be effected. We understand that the implementation of the pronouncement is the subject of deliberations some concerned departments," Padilla said.
However, Padilla assured the public that the relationship of the Philippine government defense with the US would remain "rock solid."
"Activities lined up for the year continue without interruption. Consultative planning activities for 2017 and beyond likewise remain on track," Padilla said.
Duterte earlier called on the US troops to leave the southern part of the country and blamed US for inflaming Muslim insurgencies in the region.
