The Philippines has scrapped planned joint patrols and naval exercises with the United States in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, according to the country’s defense secretary.
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed Friday that he informed the U.S. that the planned drills had been put on hold, the Associated Press first reported. The move comes in the wake of several negative statements made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte about President Obama and the relationship between the two countries.
Lorenzana also said that the roughly 100 U.S. service members in the southern part of the country assisting in the operation of surveillance drones against Islamic extremists would be asked to leave when the Philippines has the necessary intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Earlier in the week, Duterte told Obama in a speech that he "can go to hell" and threatened that he could eventually decide to "break up with America." Duterte has made fierce comments about the U.S. president in response to criticism over his controversial push to end the drug trade in the Philippines. Duterte was quoted as referring to Obama as a "son of a bitch" last month ahead of a planned meeting with the U.S. president during his final trip to Asia.
Lorenzana also said Friday that Duterte wants to stop joint military drills with U.S. forces, of which there are 28 annually.
"This year would be the last," Duterte said in a speech Friday of joint combat exercises with the U.S. centered on beach assault drills, which began this week amid the leader’s inflammatory statements.
"For as long as I am there, do not treat us like a doormat because you’ll be sorry for it," Duterte said. "I will not speak with you. I can always go to China."
Duterte has previously indicated that he would reach out to China and Russia over the United States.
The United States maintains a rotational U.S. military presence in the Philippines and has ramped up its presence there amid provocations from Beijing in the South China Sea. The U.S. has sought to deter China’s reclamation on disputed features in the region, sailing warships near manmade islands to which Beijing claims responsibility.
During remarks last week, Defense Secretary Ash Carter called for more joint patrols in the Asia-Pacific. He also described the relationship between the United States and the Philippines as "ironclad."