The Philippines will maintain its defence treaty and continue joint drills with the United States, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to end defence cooperation between the two countries.

The Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte (R) and Minister of Defence Delfin Lorenzana (L) (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The statement was made by the Minister of Defence Delfin Lorenzana on November 7 to the media.

Lorenzana said that the defence treaty, which serves as a legal mechanism allowing US soldiers’ presence in the Philippines, will be continued.

However, the Minister announced that two annual drills will be put on hold. The large-scale drill ‘Balikatan’ will be carried out as usual along with smaller-scale drills on anti-terrorism, humanitarian issues and natural disasters.

(Source: VNA)