Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he has given notice to the United States that the upcoming US-Philippine military drill next week in Manila will be the last joint military exercise between the two countries.

In an impromptu speech he delivered on his first state visit to Vietnam this week, Duterte said he wants to put an end to the joint military exercises because "China does not want it."

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The Philippine leader said that although the Philippines has a defense treaty with the US, it will not take part in any patrols in the disputed South China Sea to avoid getting involved in any conflict between Washington and Beijing.

War games

"We are scheduled to hold war games again, which China does not want. I would serve notice now that this will be the last military exercise (between the two countries). Jointly, Philippines-U.S., the last one," Duterte announced.

He said that Manila would honor all its existing security treaties with the US and will maintain the military alliance between the US and the Philippines according to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between both nations.

Duterte said he is looking forward to establishing new alliances for trade and commerce.

US patrols

He made it clear that Manila would not join any future US patrols in the disputed South China Sea to prevent the possibility of a clash with Beijing.

"I will not join in the patrol in the China Sea," he said. "There will never be an occasion that I will send warships there, not because I am afraid.  Anyway, I have this ruling of the international arbitration court which is that the South China Sea, the entitlements there are ours."

US and Philippine troops will converge in Manila on October 4 for an annual joint military exercise that will be conducted in various parts of Luzon. The nine-day exercise will include amphibious landing exercise as well as humanitarian activities.

Duterte had earlier called for the withdrawal of US special forces stationed in the southern part of Mindanao saying they are prone to being kidnapped by extremists and the Abu Sayyaf criminals. 

TagsSouth China Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte, US-Phl military exercises, US patrols, china