Duterte says Philippines can survive without America

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said Filipino forces can fight insurgents and Muslim extremists without American military help, in a defense of his recent decision to terminate a US security pact.

Duterte also said in a speech that he would stick to a decision made early in his presidency, when he was enraged by then President Barack Obama's criticism of his deadly anti-drug crackdown, that he will not travel to the United States.

The brash Philippine leader has often criticised US security policies while praising China and Russia since taking office in mid-2016 for a six-year term.

US President Donald Trump invited Duterte to join a meeting he will host for leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Las Vegas next month.

Duterte has better relations with Trump than with Obama, but his remarks Wednesday support an earlier statement by his spokesman that he would not attend the Las Vegas meeting.

Do we need America to survive as a nation?" Duterte asked.

"Do we need ... the might and power of the military of the United States to fight our rebellion here and the terrorists down south and control drugs?
Trump, however, reacted dismissively, saying, If they would like to do that, that's fine. We'll save a lot of money."