The U.S. is providing only technical assistance to government troops fighting the Maute militants in Marawi City and no American soldiers are partipating in combat operations, Malacañang said on Sunday.
“We have standing protocols which are already in place under the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board with the US under the purview of the PHL-US Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951. It does not involve any boots on the ground nor is there any direct participation in combat operations, a matter prohibited by law,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella said.
The “assistance” being provided by United States in the ongoing operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Marawi is “technical assistance”, said Abella.
“The Philippines is open to assistance from other countries if they offer it,” he added, stressing that the fight against terrorism is not only the concern of the Philippines or the United States but also of many nations around the world. (PNA)
