MANILA — Military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States appeared to be undisturbed on Tuesday, as the Southeast Asian country sought to temper comments by its president suggesting American troops should leave Mindanao, where they have been helping to fight an insurgency.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, a spokesman for the Philippine armed forces, said the remarks the president, Rodrigo Duterte, delivered on Monday at a swearing-in ceremony for officials in Manila were an expression of “his concern to the U.S. servicemen in Mindanao.”

“Pursuant to the same statement, he desires that our American counterparts should be eased from harm’s way,” General Padilla said.

Mr. Duterte said on Monday that the American Special Forces in Mindanao should withdraw.

“I do not want a rift with America,” he added, “but they have to go.”