Philippines’ Duterte set for drug war backing at summit

The two world leaders assured Duterte of their support backing during bilateral talks on the sidelines of the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Danang, Vietnam.

For his part, Putin said terrorism was a common challenge for both Russia and the Philippines, noting that Russia was prepared to further develop defense relations between Russia and the Philippines.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte thanked Moscow on Friday for its “timely assistance” in defeating pro-ISIS terrorists who took over a southern city for months, expressing his willingness to buy Russian weapons.

“A real person. During a rumble. Stabbing. That was when I was 16 years old, just because we just looked at each other”, he said.

The Davao-based solon also scoffed at Trump’s racist anti-migrant policy which is targeting not just millions of Filipinos in the U.S. but millions more of migrants from other countries. “How much more now that I am president?”

“If I can help mediate or arbitrate, please let me know. Never mind about the human rights advocates”, he added. As many as 12,000 people may now have been killed since the start of the bloody anti-drugs campaign.

Duterte’s spokesman, Harry Roque, has since told the British news network that the comment was made in jest.

Those comments angered human rights organizations, who see Trump’s meeting with Duterte as validation from the United States that the controversial President’s crackdown on drug use in the Philippines is acceptable.

Phelim Kine, Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director, told Agence France-Presse, “Foreign leaders should recognize that the fist. symbolizes a purposeful attack by Duterte on rule of law that has inflicted a human rights calamity on thousands of Filipinos”.

Another 2,290 people were murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

“What have you been doing all the time?” These are the things that you do not brag about: the Marawi and then the drugs-words of encouragement. “Why? Because you are insulting me”.

Police have reported killing almost 4,000 in his anti-drug war, and many thousands of murders remain unexplained, but Duterte insists he is not responsible for any unlawful deaths.

“Trump must not keep ignoring the grave human rights situation in the Philippines”.

Duterte said a year ago he would be “happy to slaughter” three million drug addicts and branded then USA president Barack Obama a “son of a whore” for criticising the drug war.

“I used to do it personally just to show to the guys that if I can do it, so can you”.