U.S. touts military ties in Philippines as Duterte courts Russia, China

By Phil Stewart and Manuel Mogato CLARK, Philippines (Reuters) - The timing of U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' trip to the Philippines this week couldn't have been better, coming just as it celebrated a victory against Islamist militants in Marawi City - with a critical dose of help from the U.S. military. Duterte, known for his strident anti-American rhetoric, has made no secret of his plans to cultivate ties with America's rivals, Russia and China.

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