<p>President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday, June 11, that he had not been aware that the US government was assisting Philippine troops against Islamist militants, Reuters reported</a>.</p><p>The Philippine Army said on Saturday, June 10</a>, that US forces were providing technical assistance in the fight to retake Marawi, but that they were not engaged in combat.</p><p>Duterte said that he had “never approached any American” for aid in the campaign against the Islamic State-associated militants who have been battling government forces in Marawi City since May 23.</p><br />
