The awkwardness continued days later when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called Mr Obama a “son of a bitch” and warned him not to challenge him in their planned meeting in Laos, leading Mr Obama to call it off.
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, right, walks with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo as school children in traditional dress wave the national flags of the two countries during a welcome ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Sept. 9.
Before traveling to Laos for regional summits, Duterte said Monday that Obama should not question him about the rising death toll in his war on drugs, which has been criticized overseas and by Duterte’s opponents in the Philippines.
Duterte also has waged a fierce government campaign against illicit drug trade that has resulted in the killing of more than 2,400 suspected drug dealers. “I am not mad at you”, he said.
Speaking to the Filipino community in Indonesia, Duterte said that he introduced himself to Obama saying, “President Obama, I’m President Duterte”. He has said he is charting a foreign policy not dependent on the USA, and has moved to reduce tensions with China over rival territorial claims.
Duterte is now on a two-day visit in the country.
Duterte arrived in Indonesia overnight after attending the Asean conference and is scheduled to meet Widodo to discuss matters of maritime security.
“Because the consequences of when you do it the wrong way are innocent people get hurt, and you have a bunch of unintended consequences that don’t solve the problem”.
Another diplomat described the speech as “normal Duterte”. “I don’t know if you’ve gone and talked to some people in Laos, but they seem pretty happy with my visit”.
German said one solution to the President’s tendency to use strong language without regard for tact or diplomacy was to train Duterte’s key communication officials on the basics of how to “explain, translate and clarify” Mr. Duterte’s statements in such a way that would leave no room for misunderstanding. His administration has forged closer military ties with Australia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and the president personally helped mend icy relations between Japan and South Korea over historical grievances. “But it won’t hurt to have a popular President on our side”, he added.
But acid-tongued Duterte on Friday said the Philippine expression “putangina” should not be taken at face value, and it was “an ordinary expression (used) by everyone”.
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Malacañang’s statements on the Asean forum were also released by Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo and Sen.
