President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday during the 116th commemoration of the Balangiga Encounter acknowledged that the US has been making efforts to repay the damages brought by US occupation in the country.
“I’d rather be friendly to Americans now because the Americans redeemed themselves a lot… They helped us a lot. They were engaged here during the Japanese occupation. I would not say that they are saviors, but they are our allies,” he added.
“Even today, the Americans provided crucial equipment to our soldiers fighting terrorists in Marawi.”
The Chief Executive admitted that he turned emotional when he demanded for the return of the bells during his State of the Nation Address on July 24.
“I was under advise by DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to temper my language and avoid cursing, which I am prone to do if I get emotional,” he said.
This advice prompted him to be friendlier to the US, he said. with PNA