MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told the United States on Saturday to prepare for the eventual repeal of a military deal that allows Washington to deploy troops and equipment for exercises in the country.

Duterte also said the Philippines can survive “without American money” after a U.S. aid agency put on hold a decision to fund anti-poverty programmes in the country.

“We do not need you,” Duterte said in a news conference after arriving from visits to Cambodia and Singapore. “Prepare to leave the Philippines. Prepare for the eventual repeal or abrogation of the VFA.”

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Alison Williams)