The US decision to cancel its military exercises with the Philippines over the custody of a US marine convicted of rape is a “setback” for the alliance between the two countries, President Gloria Arroyo has said. “The cancellation of these exercises is a setback to our military modernization program, the interoperability of Philippine and US forces and the strategic alliance of both countries,” said Arroyo’s spokesman Ignacio Bunye. Bunye said that Arroyo understood and respected the US decision, adding “we hope that the exercises can be put back on track as soon as possible.” Full Story