Trump vows ‘biggest’ support for drug war—Roque

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and US President Donald Trump share a light moment prior to the bilateral meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on November 13, 2017. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

United States President Donald Trump has thrown the ‘biggest’ support for the administration’s crackdown against illegal drugs among world leaders who attended the ASEAN summit, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

In an interview with DZBB, Roque said Trump has lauded President Rodrigo Duterte, saying the latter is doing the ‘right thing’ in connection with the drug war.

“Palagi niyang sinasabi na talagang si [He always said that] President Duterte ay [is] doing the right thing in fighting the war on drugs,” Roque said.

Earlier, two US House representatives urged Trump to raise questions about human rights situations in the Philippines and discuss their “profound concern” over cases of extrajudicial killings in the country in his meeting with Duterte.

Reps. Randy Hultgren of Illinois and James McGovern of Massachusetts also informed Trump about the results of the Commission hearing where it found out that the Philippine National Police (PNP) have killed 7,000 suspected drug users and dealers “without charges or trial.” On other hand, human rights advocates claimed that around 13,000 have been killed in anti-drug operations.

However,  Duterte said he has just exchanged chitchats with Trump during their first encounter in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Da Nang and alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) were not discussed.

“He said something about, ‘You know, you handle it very well…’ I do not want to brag. These are the things that you do not brag about: Marawi and the drug war—words of encouragement,” Duterte told reporters in his return to the Philippines.

“Not (EJK). Well, (Trump) 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,” he added.

Before his departure for Washington, Trump said his stay in the Philippines is a ‘great time’ and Duterte was a ‘good guy.

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“Tell Rodrigo I like him very much. He’s a good guy. I had a great time here,” Trump said, sent off by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.