US President-elect Donald Trump told Duterte that Manila was conducting its deadly drug war “the right way”, Duterte said on December 3, in stark contrast to the criticism he received from President Barack Obama. / AFP PHOTO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS’ DIVISION / Richard Madelo
US President-elect Donald Trump told Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte that Manila was conducting its deadly drug war “the right way”, Duterte said Saturday, in stark contrast to the criticism he received from President Barack Obama.
The Philippine president called Trump late Friday evening to congratulate him on his election victory with Trump wishing him “success” in his controversial anti-crime crackdown, in which some 4,800 people have been killed since June, according to Duterte.
“He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs. And he wishes me well… in my campaign and he said that… we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way,” Duterte said in a video released by his office Saturday.
“He was wishing me success in my campaign against the drug problem.”
Duterte, 71, launched an unprecedented war on drugs that drew a wave of global criticism with Obama urging the leader in September to conduct his campaign “the right way” following concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings.
Trump’s office released a brief statement following the conversation, saying Duterte had congratulated Trump and the two agreed to work together closely.
Meanwhile, an aide of President Duterte said that the US President-elect Donald Trump invited President Duterte to the White House next year during the “very engaging, animated” phone conversation.
A video uploaded by Philippines Presidential broadcast staff RTVM showed Duterte animatedly speaking over the phone and saying they will both improve bilateral ties between the two countries.
A statement issued by Trump’s transition team, however, made no mention of an invitation.
Trump’s brief chat with the firebrand Philippine president follows a period of uncertainty about one of Washington’s most important Asian alliances, stoked by Duterte’s hostility towards President Barack Obama and repeated threats to sever decades-old defense ties.
The call lasted just over seven minutes, Duterte’s special adviser, Christopher Go, said in a text message to media, which gave few details.
Duterte congratulated the U.S. president-elect, the Trump team’s statement said, and the two men “noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments would continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern.”
In five months in office, Duterte has upended Philippine foreign policy by berating the United States, making overtures towards historic rival China and pursuing a new alliance with Russia.
His diplomacy has created jitters among Asian countries wary about Beijing’s rising influence and Washington’s staying power as a regional counterbalance.
Duterte initially expressed optimism about having Trump in the Oval Office, saying he no longer wanted quarrels. But he has continued to rail against U.S. “hypocrisy” and “bullying.”
Republican Trump, a New York businessman who has never previously held public office, told Reuters during the election campaign that Duterte’s comments showed “a lack of respect for our country.” But he also stressed the “very important strategic location” of the Philippines and blamed Obama for failing to take the time to get to know world leaders.
A source who has advised Trump’s transition team on security policy told Reuters last week the president-elect would start a “clean slate” with Duterte, and analysts see some similarities in their blunt style.
Sometimes called the “Trump of the East” because of his mercurial ways, Duterte has threatened repeatedly to sever U.S. defense ties, saying he “hates” having foreign soldiers in his country.
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said he did not know whether the department had assisted in setting up Trump’s call with Duterte, but stood ready to provide such help.
Philippines expert Ernest Bower of the Bower Group Asia consultancy said it was likely the call was facilitated by Trump’s business partners in the Philippines and a core group of advisers, who include his children.
Duterte won presidential elections in May after pledging to stamp out criminality in six months, the illegal drug menace, warning that otherwise the Philippines would turn into a narco-state.
In October Duterte announced a “separation” from the United States and had called for the withdrawal of American troops from his country, putting into question Manila’s 70-year-old alliance with Washington.
But on Saturday, Duterte said he “could sense a good rapport” with an “animated” Trump.
Duterte’s spokesman said the “understanding” between the two leaders signalled better Philippine-US ties.
“We can say at this stage that our relationship with the US is improving,” Ernesto Abella said.
The Philippine leader was seen laughing as he chatted on the phone with US President-elect Trump, in a video released by Malacanang, as he later said Trump would would be “a good president for the United States of America”.
Duterte said the president-elect invited him to visit New York and Washington DC and he returned the favour by asking Trump to attend a regional summit that the Philippines is set to host next year.
“If I’m around, he wants to be notified of my presence,” Duterte said.
(Reports from Agence France Presse and Reuters)