Duterte expresses optimism he’ll get along well with Trump

After his series of anti-US rhetoric, President Duterte is now looking at improved relations with the country’s longtime ally while expressing optimism he can get along well with America’s president-elect Donald Trump.

Duterte’s relationship with the US has soured due to criticisms against his bloody war on illegal drugs. He has repeatedly lashed out at outgoing US President Barack Obama and even told him once to “go to hell.”

But following Trump’s election as America’s 45th president, Duterte appeared to have softened his stance against the US.

“To the president-elect of the US, Donald Trump, congratulations. It was a well-deserved victory and you are the chosen leader of the most powerful country on earth,” Duterte told reporters late Tuesday.

When asked if he thinks the relationship between Philippines and the US would improve, Duterte replied: “Oh, I’m sure.”

According to Duterte, he has no issues with Trump as the latter “has not meddled in human rights issues.”

“Wala man kaming away (We don’t have any quarrel). I can always be a friend to anybody, especially to a president, chief executive of another country,” he said.

“Hindi naman ako sinasaway about my campaign on human rights,” he added, referring to Trump.

On the issue of Trump’s intent to crackdown on illegal migrants that could affect a large numbers of Filipinos believed to be working illegally in the US, Duterte said: “I trust in his judgment that he would be fair in the matter of the treatment of illegal immigrants.”

“I cannot talk for the illegals because whether the President is Trump or not, or somebody else, it won’t matter. Because an illegal is always an illegal. So he is subject at any time a deportation,” he added.

COMBAT EXERCISES CONTINUE

Meanwhile, US and Philippine special forces will begin annual combat exercises on Wednesday in a sign such joint drills are continuing despite vocal opposition by the President Duterte.

The US military says that so far there’s been no reduction in cooperation with the Philippines, a longstanding US ally, despite President Duterte’s threats to do so and his expressed desire to expand security ties with China and Russia.

But in a sign of a possible restriction, Philippine army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said Tuesday both the US and the Philippines have agreed to forego live-fire drills in the field during the month-long Balance Piston exercises which will take place in the western province of Palawan.

He said about 40 elite Filipino troops are taking part but wouldn’t say how many Americans. He didn’t give a reason for dropping the live-fire maneuvers.

The Philippine defense department has said Duterte wants such overt assault drills to be discontinued.

MILITARY COOPERATION REMAINS

In Washington, Admiral Harry Harris, the commander of US forces in the Pacific, said Tuesday there’s been no change so far in US-Philippine military cooperation.

He said US special forces are still advising the Philippines in counter-terrorism in the country’s south, U.S. surveillance aircraft have continued rotational deployments at Clark Air Base, and plans for enhanced defense cooperation agreed by the previous Philippine administration remain on track.

“There are five Philippines bases that they have agreed to allow us to use. That hasn’t changed so far and I have no reason to believe that will change. I will know more next week,” Harris told reporters.

Next Tuesday, Harris said he will meet in the Philippines with the chief of staff of its armed forces, Gen. Ricardo Visaya, to discuss the schedule for military exercises in the coming two years. Harris said there could be a “re-scoping” of some of the big exercises in 2017. (With a report from AP)

Tags: Barack Obama, Duterte, illegal drugs, Improved ties with US seen, Manila Bulletin, mb.com.ph, News today, Philippine news, Philippines, Trump, United States

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Elena L. Aben

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