By ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
United States President Donald Trump yesterday reaffirmed the good, long-standing relationship between the Philippines and the US and revealed that he is enjoying his stay in the country so far.
Trump made the statement to members of the media before his bilateral meeting with President Duterte at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
The two world leaders participated in many meetings as part of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit that started yesterday.
In a short statement, Trump recognized the robust relationship between the Philippines and the United States and thanked Duterte for the warm welcome.
“We’ve had a great relationship. This has been very successful. We have many meetings today with many leaders,” Trump said.
“The ASEAN conferences have been handled beautifully by the President of the Philippines and your representatives,” he added.
According to Trump, he enjoyed the ASEAN 50th Anniversary Special Gala Dinner at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City that Duterte hosted Sunday night.
Trump described the event as “fantastic” and cited the tremendous talent of those who performed during the event.
“We very much appreciate the great treatment that you have given. I thought last night’s event was fantastic,” he said.
“Tremendous talent. Most of them, I guess, are from the Philippines. Tremendous talent – musical talent, dance talent. We really had a tremendous time, all of the leaders,” he added.
“So in behalf, I think, of the leaders and everybody, I want to thank you and I want to thank the Philippines,” Trump said. “Thank you very much. I enjoy being here,” he said.
Duterte and Trump sat next to each other during the gala dinner.
The Chief Executive has been very fond of Trump, commending him for his non-critical stance on the war against drugs and alleged cases of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
