US seeks clarity on the Philippine president’s announcement

<p>The US has said it will seek clarity on the Philippine president's announcement of a "separation from the US".</p><p>Rodrigo Duterte made the comments in China on Thursday at an economic forum, saying the separation applied to military and economic co-operation.</p><p>US State Department spokesman John Kirby said the remarks were "at odds" with the "close relationship" shared by the countries.</p><p>This is not the first mention of a separation from the US by Duterte. </p><p>Relations between China and the Philippines had deteriorated over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, after an international tribunal sided with Manila and rejected Beijing's claims.</p><p>On Thursday, the two countries said they would restart dialogue to resolve the dispute.<br><br><br></p>