Trump hails ‘great relationship’ with self-proclaimed killer Duterte

manila: Donald Trump declared yesterday he had a "great relationship" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed killer who is waging a drugs war that rights groups say involves mass murder, as the leaders joked with each other in Manila, reports AFP.

In a series of encounters over Sunday and Monday, Trump and Duterte appeared to enjoy each others' company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime.

"We've had a great relationship. This has been very successful," Trump told Duterte in brief opening remarks at their meeting.

Trump praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them "beautifully". "I've really enjoyed being here," he said. As the reporters were being escorted out of the room, one asked if Trump would raise the issue of human rights, to which Duterte jokingly called the media "spies". Both laughed but neither answered.

Duterte's spokesman later said repeatedly that Trump did not bring up any human rights concerns in the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes. He said the US leader nodded as he listened to Duterte speaking about his drugs war. ump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights were raised, although "briefly".

 

Trump hails great relationship with self-proclaimed killer Duterte

manila: Donald Trump declared yesterday he had a great relationship with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed killer who is waging a drugs war that rights groups say involves mass murder, as the leaders joked with each other in Manila, reports AFP. In a series of encounters over Sunday and Monday, Trump and Duterte appeared to enjoy each others company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime. Weve had a great relationship. This has been very successful, Trump told Duterte in brief opening remarks at their meeting. Trump praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them beautifully. Ive really enjoyed being here, he said. As the reporters were being escorted out of the room, one asked if Trump would raise the issue of human rights, to which Duterte jokingly called the media spies. Both laughed but neither answered. Dutertes spokesman later said repeatedly that Trump did not bring up any human rights concerns in the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes. He said the US leader nodded as he listened to Duterte speaking about his drugs war. ump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights were raised, although briefly.