Top American diplomat says U.S. remains strong Philippine ally

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel also said that while the United States supports Manila's "effort against the scourge of drugs", Washington was concerned over the loss of lives, which is "not a positive trend" and is "bad for business as well".

Russel made the comments to reporters in Manila after a meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.

(Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Writing by Enrico dela Cruz)