Philippine President Duterte says to ban troops from participating in US-led wars

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MANILA (XINHUA) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he would not allow Philippine troops to participate in any armed conflicts involving the United States.

In a speech in Iloilo province on Thursday (Feb 22), Duterte said that he does not want the Philippines to be dragged into a war that has nothing to do with the Philippines.

"This time I will tell them, no more, I will not allow the deployment of (troops of my country)," Duterte said, adding that most of the US-led wars have nothing to do with the country's security.

Duterte recalled the Iraq war: "I don't know exactly how many Philippine troops were deployed in that conflict. But as far as I can remember, the invasion was done and it turned out there was no weapons of mass destruction," he said.

Duterte also mentioned other wars that involved the United States.

The Philippines is a treaty ally of the United States. However, their relations have been strained in recent years.

In a report issued this month, US intelligence community tags Duterte as a threat to democracy and human rights in South-east Asia.