(Eagle News)– Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella clarified on Tuesday (September 13) that President Rodrigo Duterte’s desire for United States Special Forces to leave Mindanao is not yet a policy.
“It is not policy yet. It is not policy. In other words, nobody acted on it yet. There is no specific directive as to how this pronouncement will be effected,” Abella explained during a press conference.
According to Abella, the President’s words might be a reference for his future endeavors.
“Definitely, the President has already painted a picture, let’s see how it unfolds,” he said.
The President on Monday announced the US troop pullout during his speech in front of the new appointees at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang.
“Kaya iyong mga Special Forces, they have to go. They have to go. In Mindanao, maraming mga puti roon, they have to go. I-review ko iyang foreign policy. Hindi ko lang masalita noon out of respect or I do not want a rift with America. But they have to go,” Duterte stressed.
Duterte said that the American forces would be in constant danger from local extremists like the Abu Sayyaf Group if they would stay in Mindanao.
“Mas lalong iinit. Makakita ng Amerikano ‘yan, patayin talaga iyan. Kukunan ng ransom iyan, patayin. Even if you’re a black or a white American, basta Amerikano ka.”