Trump, Duterte skirt drug war deaths issue

he alleged cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the country brought by the drug war were not raised during President Duterte’s informal interaction with United States President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam last week.

“Not extrajudicial killing. Well, he cannot afford it. We do not talk about these things because, first of all, they are not true; and the second is, we do not do it,” Duterte said in his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before dawn Sunday.

Duterte also expressed confidence that Trump will not bring up the issue even during their bilateral talks in Manila during the 31st Association of South- east Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

“I’m sure he will not take it up,” Duterte said.

“He is not the Human Rights Commission. So it’s only the representatives there. Because the US, like the Philippines, is run by three great departments,” he added.

“See you tomorrow,” Trump reportedly told Duterte during their short meeting in Vietnam.

According to Duterte, Trump also commended him on how he handled the drug situation and also the recently concluded Marawi conflict.

“And he said something about, ‘You know, you handle it very well.’ These are the things that you do not brag about: the Marawi and then the drugs,” Duterte said.

The meeting of the leaders during the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila would be their first official meeting since the two assumed office last year.

The Philippines would also be the last stop of Trump’s five-nation swing in Asia. He was slated to stay in the Philippines for two days later decided to stay an extra day for the East Asia Summit.