President Duterte has apparently mellowed even further on his sentiments about the United States, reiterating yesterday he did not seek the pullout of American forces as the Philippines would need its ally in defending the country from intrusions in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea. “I said there will be some time in the future that I will ask the US special forces to get out, almost 117 of them, better that you get out so that I can talk peace… and so I can show that you are not there,” he said in a speech before the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Mawab, Compostela Valley. “I never said get out of the Philippines. For after all, we need them in (South) China Sea,” Duterte added.

Mendez, C. (2016, September 21). We need US for South China Sea - Duterte. Philippine Star, p. 6.