*Subject:* *WH Travel Pool Report #5*
Trump-Duterte Meeting
The two presidents were seated next to each other, with their staffs in two rows of chairs, facing each other.
President Duterte was wearing a gray windbreaker-like jacket over his traditional Barong. It had zippered pockets on the sleeves. POTUS was in his suit with red tie.
Duterte had apparently finished his opening remarks shortly before the pool was escorted into the room, a fact Trump pointed out to the press.
“I will say this, the media was a little bit late, and you actually missed the best part of the presidents statement. I think he should make it again,” he said, turning to Duterte with a smile.
“But ah, weve had a great relationship,” Trump continued. “This has been very successful. Weve had many meetings today with many other leaders. The ASEAN conference has been handled beautifully by the president of the Philippines and your representatives. I’ve really enjoyed being here.”
Then Trump turned to a discussion of the weather.
“The weather is always good,” he said, turning toward a line of windows with a view of clouds outside. “Today, its pretty good. But one thing about the Philippines: eventually it gets good, no matter what. But we very much appreciate it. Last nights event was fantastic. Tremendous talent. Most of it, I guess, from the Philippines. But tremendous talent, musical talent, dance talent. We really had a tremendous time, all of the leaders.”
Pool tried again to elicit answer on whether Trump had raised human rights with Duterte, but did not get a response.
“Whoa, whoa,” Duterte said. “This not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting.”
The following passage was difficult to hear — this is an approximate transcript
Duterte: “We will be discussing matters that are of interest to both the Philippines and...with you around, guys, you are the spies.”
“Hah, hah, hah,” Trump said laughing.
“You are,” Duterte repeated.
Pool is now holding in a room, awaiting the US-ASEAN summit.
Mark Landler NY Times
*Subject:* *WH Travel Pool Report #4a*
Pool has now listened to the pool spray recording multiple times. We have a high level of confidence in his rendering:
Duterte: “We will be discussing matters that are of interest to both the Philippines and...with you around, guys, you are the spies.”
“Hah, hah, hah,” Trump said laughing.
“You are,” Duterte repeated.
[Duterte’s reference was to “spies” (i.e. the media), not “spice.”]
Mark Landler NY Times