Duterte, Trump meet for the first time

AFTER their muchanticipated meeting, President Rodrigo Duterte finally meets United States (US) Donald Trump on the sidelines of the AsiaPacific Economic (Apec) summit in Vietnam on Saturday, November 11.

The two leaders, often compared to each other for their candid comments, were seen exchanging pleasantries, based on the photo from Duterte's special assistant Christopher Go, which were sent to reporters.

Go, in a text message, said Duterte and Trump merely had a brief conversation, telling each other, "See you tomorrow."

He even quipped, "I tell the two (Duterte and Trump) to shake hands."

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the two had a "short, warm, and cordial" meeting.

Duterte and Trump's bilateral dialogue did not push through in Vietnam.

The two will have their first official meet- ing on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) forum in the Philippines on November 11 to 14.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Manuel Teehankee said the meeting will be "more impressive."

On October 30, Duterte said he would raise the issue on the escalating tension between the US and North Korea over the Korean peninsula.

Last Wednesday, the President said he would bring up the West Philippine Sea disputes to allow Trump, who also met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Apec event, to have a "balance answer" with regard to the maritime row.

Duterte also said he would tell Trump to "lay off" when it comes to the issue of the supposed human rights violation associated with the former's deadly war on illegal drugs that killed thousands of alleged drug suspects. (SunStar Philippines/Ruth Abbey Gita)