DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said the Philippines remains as “a friend and an ally” of the United States under Republican presumptive President Donald Trump.

Speaking during his return here from trips to Thailand and Malaysia, Duterte said Manila will continue to honor its military pact with Washington under the incoming Trump administration.

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“As it is. We are friends with an ally,” Duterte said, even as he expressed optimism the country would not be dragged into a major international conflict “in the next 100 years.”

Following Trump’s stunning victory over his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton on Wednesday, Duterte was among a handful of world leaders who congratulated the 70-year-old flamboyant billionaire.

“We will maintain our cooperation (with the US)..Respect should be there in all matters that would affect the two countries,” Duterte said. CDG

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