Trump avoids drug war issue in Du30 meeting

MANILA — As expected, President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Donald Trump avoided any discussion of human rights particularly the former's drug war killings during the two leaders' bilateral meeting, according to a presidential spokesman.

The two leaders met on Monday noon on the sidelines of the gathering of Southeast Asian nations in Manila where Trump reaffirmed America's friendly relations with the Philippines, a treaty ally which has struck a friendlier relationship with China and Russia during Duterte's more than a year in office.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the talks between the two leaders had been frank and lasted for over 40 minutes.

Roque said that it was the Philippine leader who initiated with Trump a discussion on the "drug menace in the Philippines."

"The issue of human rights did not arise, it was not brought up," Roque said.

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE US President Donald Trump listens to President Rodrigo Duterte during their bilateral meeting on the side line of the 31st Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila.