Duterte, Kim meeting para sa ‘closer relations’ ng PH-US

Kahit hindi pa isinasapubliko ang impormasyon sa ngayon, tinitiyak ng Malacañang na ang anumang pagpupulong ng Pangulo at ng isang ambassador ay inaasahang magpapalakas sa relasyon ng mga bansang sangkot.

Ito ang ipinahayag ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque matapos makipagpulong ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kay United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim sa Malacañang nitong Miyerkules.

Sinabi ni Roque na kahit “private” meeting ang courtesy call ng envoy sa Pangulo, marahil ay palalakasin nito ang relasyon ng Pilipinas at US.

“No details was released. As you know, this is a diplomatic meeting. So it was classified as a private meeting. But I will try to ask the President what we can release,” ani Roque.

“Well, we’ve always had a good relationship with the United States. And I’m sure that every meeting between the President and the US ambassador will result in closer relations,” idinugtong niya.

Sa kanyang Twitter account, pinuri ni Kim ang courtesy call kay Duterte.

“Excellent meeting with President Duterte to discuss shared goals including defense priorities and economic partnership,” ani Kim nitong Miyerkules ng gabi. “Our alliance remains strong and ironclad.”

Naganap ang pagpupulong nina Duterte at Kim halos tatlong linggo matapos niyang ibunyag na nagpahayag sina US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, at Secretary of Defense James Mattis ng pagnanais na makausap siya kaugnay sa modernisasyon ng Armed Forces of the Philippines.