Trillanes tells Duterte on US help in Marawi: Swallow your pride and be grateful

President Rodrigo Duterte should “swallow his pride and be grateful” as the US government provides assistance to the Philippine military in its fight against the Maute group in Marawi City, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Monday.

Trillanes, a former Navy officer, said the US government’s assistance is a “welcome development.”

“The assistance provided by the US forces in the current conflict in Marawi is a welcome development. Our ground troops could avail of accurate tactical intel for a more effective operations which would also help minimize government casualties,” he said in a statement.

“Duterte should just swallow his pride and be grateful about it,” Trillanes said.

The US government on Saturday confirmed its troops have started helping the Philippine military in battling the Maute group and other local terrorists in Marawi City.

In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said, "At the request of the Government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) with ongoing operations in Marawi through support that helps AFP commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) militants."

Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, 1st Infantry Battalion spokesperson, clarified that the assistance of the US counterpart was limited to "technical support."

Duterte said on Sunday he was not aware that the US government was providing assistance in Marawi City.

Duterte also said he "never approached America" for help. "I am not aware of that until they arrived," Duterte said. —ALG, GMA News