Duterte said he was unaware that the US was providing support against ISIS-affiliated militants.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he was unaware that the U.S. was supporting Manila in its fight against rebels in Marawi.

The Philippine president (center) denies a request for US assistance in suppressing rebels. Photo: Reuters

"I didn't know about it until they arrived," Reuters quoted Duterte as saying today during a press briefing, when asked about US support for the Philippine military against the Islamic State-affiliated Maute rebels in Marawi.

The Philippine president also stated that he had never approached the United States to ask for help.

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Manila said yesterday.At the request of the Philippine government, US special forces are assisting the Philippine military in the Marawi operation to counter the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The Philippine military saidUS forces provided technical assistance to the Philippines, but did not deploy troops to directly fight the rebels.

On June 5, the US military delivered hundreds of machine guns, pistols, and grenade launchers to the Philippines to support the military operation against the Maute rebel group, which is affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), entrenched in the southern city of Marawi.

The Philippine military said it would try to end its offensive against rebels in Marawi by June 12.This force had previously suffered heavy losses when 13 Marines were killed in clashes with insurgents.

According to VNE