PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte won pledges from Japan yesterday to help with fighting terrorism and renewing the country's crumbling infrastructure.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in Tokyo that he welcomed the recent liberation of the town of Marawi from occupation by Isis-aligned jihadists, applauding his guest’s role during the crisis.

"I express my heartfelt respect for President Duterte's leadership on the recent declaration of liberation in Marawi. We will provide full support for his counter-terrorism effort and steps to ensure regional peace and stability.”