After his series of anti-United States rhetoric, President Duterte is now looking at improved relations with the country’s longtime ally as he expressed optimism that he can get along with United States president-elect Donald J. Trump.
Duterte’s relationship with the US has soured due to criticisms against his bloody war against illegal drugs.
He has repeatedly lashed out at outgoing US president Barack Obama and once told him to “go to hell.”
But following Trump’s election as the 45th president of the US, Duterte appeared to have softened his stance against the US.
“To the President-elect of the US, Donald Trump, congratulations. It was a well-deserved victory and you are the chosen leader of the most powerful country on Earth,” Duterte said.
Duterte also thinks that the relationship between Philippines and the US would improve. “Oh, I’m sure,” he said.
According to Duterte, he has no issues with Trump as he “has not meddled in human rights issues.”
“Wala man kaming away. I can always be a friend to anybody especially to a President, Chief Executive of another country,” he said. “Hindi naman ako sinasaway about my campaign on human rights,” Duterte added, referring to Trump.
Duterte said he trusts judgment on the crackdown on illegal migrants that could affect a large numbers of Filipinos believed to be working illegally in the US.
“I trust in his judgment that he would be fair in the matter of the treatment of illegal immigrants,” he said.
Meanwhile, Duterte is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ summit in Peru next week.
According to Duterte, he sought a bilateral meeting with the Russian leader. “Matuloy ho. Ako ang nanghingi niyan.
Earlier tonight, I had a long talk with the ambassador (Igor Khovaev) of Russia. I reiterated my desire to meet Putin, bilateral,” said Duterte.
Khovaev made a courtesy call to the President in Malacañang. (Elena L. Aben)
yan ang pangulo mabuti kasi ang kanyang puso gusto niya lng makipag friend ky trump
hanggat may leader tyo na handang lumban para sa bansa natin maging matpang din tyo dahil ang pangulo natin ay hindi sumusuko!
sang-ayon ako sa lahat ng ipapatupad ni Duterte para naman yan sa pansariling kpakanan natin.
lahat naman ng ginagawa nya eh para din naman sa ating bansa.
malinis ang hangarin ni duterte sa ating bansa,hindi ako nagka mali sa pag pili skanya.
gumagawa ng way si Pdu30 para sa ikakabuti ng ating bansa.ito na ang simula ng pag unlad ng ating bansa.
kalokohan mga yan palayasin na ang pangulo!
kung ikaw na kaya palayasin ko!
maybe trump will do good para sa pipnas di naman kasi ito katulad na mga tradisyunal na mga politiko
Walang ibang gusto ang ating pangulo kundi ang mapabuti ang ating bansa. Wala namang siya ginawang masama sa ating bansa eh.