Posted on 09/01/2016 12:38:57 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday he was ready to discuss any issues with Barack Obama when they meet in Laos next week, but added that the U.S. president must listen to him first before bringing up the question of human rights.
Washington has expressed concern about a surge in drug-related killings since Duterte became president two months ago promising to wipe out narcotics in the Southeast Asian nation.
Asked if he would be willing to discuss human rights at his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of an East Asia summit on Sept. 6, Duterte told reporters: "Depends to what degree.
"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."
In a statement, the foreign ministry said the meeting would be an opportunity for the president to "communicate his advocacy to improve the peace and order situation in the country, especially toward eradicating the scourge of illicit drugs".
Police data released on Tuesday showed that the number of drug-related killings since Duterte took office now stands at around 2,000, nearly half of them in police operations and the rest in shootings by unidentified gunmen.
Duterte has been unapologetic over unleashing the police on drug users and dealers and has responded robustly to criticism from the United Nations and other countries over his campaign....
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
I know the common people have had it, up to their necks, with the drug epidemic. I am not surprised they react the way they do.
Why is he wasting his time with Obama, the lame faerie, anyhow?
backdoor to future Clinton deals, and paying homage to the first traitor in chief
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