Calling Duterte “a colourful guy”, the USA president said he has asked his staff to find out whether a meeting would be useful.
Advertisement
Obama canceled a meeting with Duterte after the hard-line Philippine president called him a “son of bitch”. “He’s a colorful guy”, Obama joked and shrugged, after hearing about Duterte’s anti-American rant. “It’s just an expression. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum”, Duterte was quoted by as saying by AFP.
By Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued a formal apology for Duterte’s remarks: “While asserting the intent to chart an independent foreign policy and promote closer ties with all nations, he expressed his deep regard and affinity for President Obama and for the enduring partnership between our nations”. The president was asked about human rights concerns that Obama may raise as a result of the massive deaths in the country, which Duterte said would be “rude” of Obama.
Upon arrival at the airport, Obama shook hands with the officials who were on hand to greet him.
In a separate statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Mr. Duterte wanted to reassure the United States that his administration “continues to value the alliance” between the two countries. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims.
Mr Duterte made the intemperate remarks on Monday before flying to Laos. You must be respectful. The outreach is a core element of his attempt to shift USA diplomatic and military resources away from the Middle East and into Asia in order to counter China in the region and ensure a US foothold in growing markets. Do not just throw away questions and statements.
At the ASEAN summit Tuesday, Duterte defended the rise in killings.
At a news conference, he said he had told his aides to speak with Philippine officials “to find out is this, in fact, a time where we can have some constructive, productive conversations”, leaving little doubt that the meeting would not proceed as planned.
He was set to give an address on the importance he has placed on Southeast Asia in his foreign and economic policy during his two terms in office, which will end on January 20, setting the stage for three days of meetings with regional leaders. “We’re working for that to happen”, Jose said in a text message on Tuesday to the Inquirer.
When the president of the Philippines insulted our president, it was appropriate and a very low-key way to say: “sorry, no meeting”, she told reporters on her campaign plane. An worldwide arbitration panel recently ruled that China’s expansive claims in the sea are illegal.
Although ASEAN has the power of the ruling behind it, its summit is unlikely to mention it in its final declaration, a reflection of Beijing’s diplomatic clout.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, second from right, poses with a fist bump with business leaders following his address to ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.
On the heels of the aborted meeting with the US President, Mr. Duterte spent Tuesday in Vientiane meeting with other leaders in the region.
Advertisement
Too few Americans know of the United States’ covert bombing of Laos.. “I will be charting a [new] course [for the Philippines] on its own and will not be dependent on the United States”, Duterte said one day after he was elected.
