'They have to go' - Philippines President wants U.S. forces out of his country

'For as long as we stay with America, we will never have peace in that land.'

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte released a statement Monday to say he wanted U.S. Special Forces out of the southern parts of his country.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Duterte blamed America for the increase of Muslim problems in the south. However, White House spokesman Josh Earnest reported there have been no formal requests to remove U.S. military units from the country.

Earnest confirmed Duterte made "colorful comments" and compared the Filipino president to U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump, adding, "I guess some people could draw that analogy."

According to Reuters, Duterte stated: "They have to go. I do not want a rift with America. But they have to go."

He claimed the pro-ISIS group, Abu Sayyaf militants, would attempt to kill and kidnap U.S. troops and create more trouble in the Philippines: "Americans, they will really kill them, they will try to kidnap them to get ransom.

"...For as long as we stay with America, we will never have peace in that land. The special forces must go. They have to go in Mindanao, there are many whites there, they have to go."

Earnest stated Duterte's actions and words are "an indication of how important elections are."

He explained: "Elections have consequences. Elections do say a lot about what kind of person is going to represent your country on the international stage. And that's why you are going to prize qualities like decorum and temperament and judgment in casting votes in elections ,because you know that person is going to represent you on the international stage.

"That's certainly something that the Filipino people are well aware of."

---

The California Network is the Next Wave in delivery of information and entertainment on pop culture, social trends, lifestyle, entertainment, news, politics and economics. We are hyper-focused on one audience, YOU, the connected generation. JOIN US AS WE REDEFINE AND REVOLUTIONIZE THE EVER-CHANGING MEDIA LANDSCAPE.