President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday, June 11, that he had not been aware that the US government was assisting Philippine troops against Islamist militants, Reuters reported.

The Philippine Army said on Saturday, June 10, that US forces were providing technical assistance in the fight to retake Marawi, but that they were not engaged in combat.

Duterte said that he had “never approached any American” for aid in the campaign against the Islamic State-associated militants who have been battling government forces in Marawi City since May 23.