MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (doo-TEHR’-tay) has sanctioned a bloody drug war that features extrajudicial killing. And this week, he boasted that he killed a man with his own hands.
All that may well go unmentioned in public by President Donald Trump when the leaders hold talks Monday.
Breaking with his presidential predecessors, Trump has largely abandoned publicly pressing foreign leaders on human rights.
President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte at an ASEAN Summit dinner at the SMX Convention Center, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Trump is on a five country trip through Asia traveling to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
He has instead shown a willingness to embrace international strongmen for strategic gain.
White House officials have suggested that there is a strategy behind Trump’s flattery of Duterte – namely to avoid having the Philippines strengthen ties with China.
President Donald Trump speaks with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte at an ASEAN Summit dinner at the SMX Convention Center, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
President Donald Trump toasts Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, right, at an ASEAN Summit dinner at the SMX Convention Center, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
President Donald Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, right, join other leaders, not pictured, for a family photo at an ASEAN Summit dinner at the SMX Convention Center, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
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