Bahrain Mirror: The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte told leaders in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar during a regional visit last weekend that he would deploy Philippine troops to the region if necessary.

"If you want [our] soldiers under your command, I'm willing to send you one battalion, one regiment, one division to protect you. Just say the word," Duterte he made this promise to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa directly, according to CNN Philippines.

In Bahrain, Duterte explained that it is his country's national interest to support Bahrain and Gulf countries, and that his promise to deploy troops was meant as a sign of gratitude to their government for giving jobs to Filipino workers there, which therefore contributed to the gross domestic product of his country.

The Philippines' president reiterated his gratitude to Bahrain for helping his "brother Filipinos" adding, "That is why I said to His Royal Highness, that that national interest is very important. And I committed to stand by you at all times."

"We want to repay you. ... We don't have the resources, we don't have the oil, but we can offer our lives to you," the president promised.

Duterte traveled to the Middle East last week seeking to strengthen economic ties and sign new agreements on "health, culture, technical vocational education and training".

Moreover, Duterte also assured Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud that he would meet any need for Philippine troops.

On the same level, during a meeting with Qatari businessmen, President Duterte noted, "I said I am even willing, if you are in trouble, if you are short with manpower, I have a very disciplined military and I can send them here."

After his trip, he reaffirmed his aforementioned commitment saying, "I told them that I will help them because of what they did for my countrymen. We will die for them," he told reporters," the Manila Bulletin reported.

According to the CNN report, The Philippines already has more than 400,000 troops stations in the Middle East.

Arabic version