Americas top diplomat for Asia on Monday said President Dutertes controversial

remarks and a real climate of uncertainty about his administrations intentions have
sparked distress around the world.
Daniel Russel, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs,
said he also relayed to Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. international concern over
continuing killings in Mr. Dutertes war on drugs.
Russels visit to the Philippines, part of a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia, comes
amid increasing uncertainty about Washingtons treaty alliance with Manila.