Philippine leader denies asking for US spy planes

Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Thursday denied reports he had asked the United States for spy planes to monitor a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.

Aquino told reporters that his country had its own ships and aircraft to keep an eye on the disputed Scarborough Shoal and that he had merely mentioned in an interview that US aircraft could be called upon for help if needed.

"If you will go through the transcript of the interview, I said 'We might' (ask for US help)," he said.

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