Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte insisted on Friday he had not meant to insult United States leader Barack Obama, but immediately took aim at another global figure by labelling UN chief Ban Ki-moon a “fool”.
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Over 2,800 people have been killed in this crackdown so far.
Channapha Khamvongsa: After War, A New Legacy of Peace in Laos: President Obama became the first USA president to visit Laos, where he discussed his work to address a legacy of war in the country.
On Monday, Duterte had said that he would not take any question from Obama regarding the extrajudicial killings in Philippines, which have occurred ever since he won the presidential elections in June. “I never confronted Obama-I don’t know him-before taking off from Davao”, said the President.
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the Lao National Cultural Hall in Vientiane, Laos, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016. “Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum”, Duterte told reporters shortly before flying to Laos.
Duterte said later that he regretted the remarks.
When asked whether Duterte had stolen the limelight at the ASEAN Summit, the prime minister said it would depend on how people viewed the matter.
“I did shake hands with President Duterte last night”.
“While the country’s economic fundamentals are strong and its potential is high, our members have raised concerns that some basic American values – which Filipinos have long shared – may be weakening in the current environment”, AmCham said in a statement.
Duterte also thanked China for its help in the Philippines’ war against illicit drugs. Duterte is now on a two-day visit in the country.
Obama’s call came shortly after Duterte gave what diplomats said was a “fiery” address to leaders of the 18-nation East Asia group, including Obama.
Although no one has dared to question his ways in the meeting, Duterte still showed off his ace.
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Obama then canceled a meeting with Duterte in Laos but the two met informally on Wednesday in a holding room before attending a gala dinner. He also added, “Human rights violations whether committed by Moses or Abraham, is still violation of human rights”.
