The pair were scheduled to meet in Laos at a gathering organised by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an annual event meant to foster harmony that often instead highlights regional rows. “I will swear at you in that forum”, he added.
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US President Barack Obama has canceled what would have been his first meeting with Rodrigo Duterte, according to a White House spokesman, hours after the Philippine leader described his American counterpart in vulgar terms.
However, shortly before flying to the capital Vientiane, Duterte launched a tirade at Obama.
Obama arrived in Vientiane just before midnight on Monday, for the first visit by a sitting United States president to Laos, where he wants to begin to address the legacy of United States bombing during the Vietnam War.
“President Duterte explained that the press reports that President Obama would “lecture” him on extrajudicial killings led to his strong comments, which in turn elicited concern”, the Philippines said in a statement released at a summit in Laos.
Upon Obama’s arrival, social media exploded with speculation China had slighted Obama after there was no staircase awaiting him on the tarmac, forcing the president to deplane through a set of internal stairs he rarely uses.
Asked about the remark, Obama said that “clearly, he’s a colorful guy”, and if he should meet with the Filipino, he would bring up US concerns about his campaign of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.
Duterte warned Obama not to ask him about extrajudicial killings related to his crackdown on drug dealers, a campaign pledge that helped sweep him to victory in the country’s presidential election in May.
The hardliner Philippine president attacked America for the human right situation in the country saying, “Black people are being shot even if they are already lying down”. “Until the [last] drug manufacturer is killed, we will continue and I will continue”, he said. At least 2,400 people have been killed since he took office on July 1, including 900 in police operations against drug pushers. I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody.
Obama’s aides had previously said he wanted to discuss the South China Sea issue with Duterte.
“I always want to make sure if I’m having a meeting that it’s actually productive and we’re getting something done”, he told reporters. Obama called the Philippines a close “friend and ally” of the United States, reports The Washington Post.
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On Monday, Obama said he recognized the importance of fighting the drug trade, but insisted it must be done under the rule of law. “We’ve got to do it the right way”, Obama said.
