Duterte to have bilateral meeting with Obama, Putin in Laos
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he will have a bilateral meeting with United States President Barack Obama in Laos where he is ready to discuss his declaration of war against illegal drugs.
Duterte is set to join the Southeast Asian and other world leaders in the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Vientiane on September 6 to 8.
Duterte said he will also have a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the sidelines of ASEAN Summit.
In an interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where he welcomed 128 repatriated workers from Saudi Arabia, Duterte said Obama could bring up any topic during their bilateral meeting at the sideline of the summits.
"He can raise any topic at all. I am ready to talk to him," Duterte said.
On reports that US wanted to raise the human rights issue, Duterte said he would be willing to talk about this, but Obama should allow him to explain the illegal drug problem in the Philippines.
"It depends to what degree because they must understand the problem first before we talk about human rights. I would insist, 'Listen to me. This is what the problem is.' Then we can talk. No problem," he said.
Duterte has been criticized for the alleged extrajudicial killings, with the number of drug suspects being killed approaching 2,000.
“The President looks forward to meeting with US President Barack Obama to reaffirm the strength and depth of the Philippines-US treaty alliance and the extraordinary ties between the Filipino and American peoples,” said foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose in a statement.
Duterte earlier said he would not raise the South China Sea issue during his attendance to ASEAN. But if he would be asked about the matter, he would answer.
Duterte said China wants to talk to the Philippines bilaterally on the issue. Celerina Monte/DMS
