Philippines' Duterte not aware of U.S. help against Islamists in Marawi

Philippine President RodrigoDuterte said on Sunday he did not seek supportfrom Washington to end the siege of a southern Philippines townby Islamist militants, a day after the United States said it wasproviding assistance at the request of the government.

Duterte told a news conference in Cagayan de Oro City, about 100 kilometresfrom the besieged town of Marawi, that he had"never approached America" for help.

Not aware of that until they arrived.- Philippine President RodrigoDuterte

When asked about U.S. support to fight the pro-Islamic Statemilitants in Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, Duterte saidhe was "not aware of that until they arrived."

The co-operation between the longtime allies in the battle is significant because Duterte, who came to power a year ago, hastaken a hostile stance towards Washington and has vowed to ejectU.S. military trainers and advisers from his country.

It is unclear whether the pro-American military went overDuterte's head in seeking U.S. help.

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The Philippines military said on Saturday U.S. forces wereproviding technical assistance but had no "boots on the ground,"confirming a statement from the U.S. embassy in Manila whichsaid the support had been requested by the government.

The seizure of Marawi on May 23 by hundreds of local andforeign fighters has alarmed Southeast Asian nations, which fearthe ultra-radical group ISISis trying to establish astronghold on Mindanao that could threaten their region.

The Pentagon, which has no permanent presence in thePhilippines but for years has kept 50 to 100 special forces troops in the south of the country on rotational exercises,confirmed it was helping the Philippine military in Marawi.

It said in a statement on Saturday it was providingPhilippine forces with security assistance and training in the areas of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It saidit had an additional 300 to 500 troops in the country to support regular training and activities, without giving further details.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, saidsupport included aerial surveillance and targeting, electronic eavesdropping, communications assistance and training. A U.S.P3 Orion surveillance plane was seen over the town on Friday.

'Pro-American' military

Duterte, who declared martial law on Mindanao an islandthe size of South Korea after the Islamist fighters overran
Marawi, said that under martial law he has authority over thedefence department.

He did not say the armed forces had gone over his head but noted that, because of years of training from the United States,"our soldiers are pro-American, that I cannot deny."

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Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statementU.S. forces were not participating directly in combat operations,which is prohibited by Philippines law.

"The fight against terrorism, however, is not only theconcern of the Philippines or the United States but it is aconcern of many nations around the world," he said. "The Philippines is open to assistance from other countries if they offer it."

As of Saturday the number of security forces killed in thebattle for Marawi stood at 58. The death toll for civilians was 20 and more than 100 had been killed overall.

At least 200 militants are holed up in a corner of the town. An estimated 500 to 1,000 civilians are trapped there, some being held as human shields, while others are hiding in theirhomes with no access to running water, electricity or food.

One of the main Islamist factions dug in around the heart of the city is the Maute group, a relative newcomer amid the throng of insurgents, separatists and bandits on Mindanao.

Maute joined forces with Isnilon Hapilon, a militant leader, who was last year proclaimed by ISISas its Southeast Asia "emir."

Military officials believe Hapilon is still in the town. The military has said it is aiming to end the siege by Monday, the Philippines' independence day.