In a bid to be more militarily independent, the Philippines announced on Tuesday it'll scrap the US troops arrangement.
"It's about time we rely on ourselves, we will strengthen our own defences and not rely on any other country," Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman told a regular briefing, quoting the president.
A formal notice has been sent to the US to scrap a bilateral Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which accorded legal status to US troops to enter the country for military exercises and humanitarian assistance.
According to reports, Duterte made the decision after the US States rescinded the visa of one of his close allies.
Throughout his time in the office, the Philippine leader has raised objection to the military agreement with the US, even denouncing Washington for treating the Philippines "like a dog on a leash".
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