MANILA, Philippines — Washington has offered to send two surveillance aircraft to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines' intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations against terrorists, the US ambassador said Tuesday. The US envoy also noted that American troops are present in Mindanao under the mutual defense treaty between the two countries. READ: US, China ready to assist Marawi rehabDespite President Rodrigo Duterte's previous statements against the Washington, Kim said that the Philippines-US relations remain strong. There’s mutual respect for the relationship and mutual appreciation for the importance of the relationship," Kim said. "It's clear that our commitment to the Philippines, to the defense of the Philippines, under the mutual defense treaty is absolute," he said.

Source: Philippine Star July 18, 2017 05:51 UTC