US President Barack Obama meeting with Philippine President Rody Duterte

READ: Statement of US President Barack Obama on the short meeting with Philippine President Rody Duterte, September 08, 2016, Lao PDR:

I did shake hands with President Duterte last night.  It was not a long interaction.  And, what I indicated to him is that my team should be meeting with his and determine how we can move forward on whole range of issues.  As I said when I was asked about this in China, I don’t take these comments personally because it seems as if this is a phrase he's used repeatedly including directed at the Pope and others.  And so, I think it seems to be just a habit, a way of speaking for him.  But as I said in China, we want to partner with the Philippines on the particular issue of narco-traffickers, which is a serious problem in the Philippines - a serious problem in the United States and around the world. 

On that narrow issue, we do want to make sure that the partnership we have is consistent with the international norms and rule of law.  So, we’re not gonna back off our position that if we are working with a country - whether its on anti-terrorism, whether it’s on going after drug traffickers - as despicable as these networks maybe, as much damage as they do, it is important from our perspective to make sure that we do it the right way. Because the consequence of when you do it the wrong way is innocent people get hurt and you have a whole bunch of unintended consequences that don’t solve the problem.

It has no impact on our broader relationship with the Philippine people; on the wide range of programs and security cooperation that we have with this treaty ally. And, it certainly has no impact in terms of how we interpret our obligations to continue to build on the long standing alliance that we have with the Philippines, however that may play itself out.

My hope and expectation is that, as President Duterte and his team get acclimated to his new position, they are able to define and clarify what exactly they want to get done - how that fits in with the work that we are already doing with the Philippine government. And, hopefully it would be on the strong footing by the time the next administration comes in.

Facebook comments

From : Jorge Balba

He cursed the Pope and he got elected as president. He called the US ambassador 'gay' and he got $32 million in military aid. He hypothetically cursed Obama and he got the ASEAN chairmanship.

From: Cristina Magana

Thank u Pres Obama for your friendly act and good approach towards the issue with our sincere Pres Duterte

From: Mari Mar

That is exactly I expected from the courageous President of US, well said and detailed.. duterte admin has a goal  straight forward to lift up the new Philippines. The plans are  intact! Cool

From: Lilibeth Bron Tenon

Thank you president Obama for being understanding the situation of our beloved president ...he just want to fix the problem in our country .,, God bless you both pres.. Obama and pres, duterte ..,

From: Grade Enoch

They should be banned Now to cover any Duterte coverage except PTV4. These fuckin paid journalists, Twist and Misconstrued the context and essence of Duterte speech. They take it word for word and translate it into a wrong context. Bwiset....😆😆😆

From: Ghay Gem

Copied statement from Obama's speech above:

READ: Statement of US President Barack Obama on the short meeting with Philippine President Rody Duterte, September 08, 2016, Lao PDR:

"But as I said in China, we want to partner with the Philippines on the particular issue of narco-traffickers, which is a serious problem in the Philippines - a serious problem in the United States and around the world. 

On that narrow issue, we do want to make sure that the partnership we have is consistent with the international norms and rule of law.  So, we’re not gonna back off our position that if we are working with a country - whether its on anti-terrorism, whether it’s on going after drug traffickers - as despicable as these networks maybe, as much damage as they do, it is important from our perspective to make sure that we do it the right way. Because the consequence of when you do it the wrong way is innocent people get hurt and you have a whole bunch of unintended consequences that don’t solve the problem."
.............................................................................

NOW, let's focus on that 2nd paragraph. "Innocent people get hurt"? Have you thought about that when you started bombing Syria? How many innocent babies, children, men and women..have been killed in Syria since you declare the war? And you worried about the drug pushers and druglords being killed in the Philippines? You sounded like DeLima and Gascon, Mr Obama. Have you been informed how many innocent babies, children, women and men..being raped and stabbed by drug addicts in the Philippines? Sounds like you don't. Sounds like you've been misinformed by desperate groups from Philippines. And Hilary echoed your sentiments on Philippines war on illegal drugs. Hilary sounded like DeLima and Gascon combined.

I remember you made a special trip to UK to meet the officials there to convince them to stay in EURO or not to pursue BRIXET. But the British people are just tired of never-ending violence related to terrorism. UK just wanted what is the best for their citizens. So they voted BREXIT. I checked several times a day on the UK's big online news...halleluiah...their citizens seem to be happier now that there is less crime, minimum brutality, in other words the UK appeared safe and better that they didn't take your advice.

The same thing with President DUTERTE. He only wants what's good for the Philippines and its citizens. Illigal drugs are distroying the lives of millions of Pilipinos. It has to be eradicated.

Now, you want to put a leash on the DUTERTE administration? That would be more like you did in the previous administration, the Aquino administration. Not good.

From: Marziel M. Escalera

Repost ...
Earlier this September 5, Duterte gave a 5-minute speech informing the country that he is about to go to Laos for the ASEAN summit. I transcribed the whole speech and included the video below this article. This is for the people to know the whole story.

After giving his speech, he asked the audience for questions and clarifications, saying:

“Any questions? I will give you a few.. for clarification for the statement only. Do not come more on to politics. It’s too far away.”

Despite his warning of not going too far, one reporter asked him:

“Sir, there have been concerns on extrajudicial killings, sir. And you will meet leaders, any line of communication that we have prepared to address this issue in front of other foreign leaders?”

To which Duterte replied:

“To whom shall I address myself to? Who will be asking the question? May I know?”

Somebody from the audience said “Like Obama, Sir.” And that started it all. Here is his answer:

“You know, the Philippines is not a vassal state. We have long ceased to be a colony of the United States. Alam mo marame dyan mga kolumnista (You know there are a lot of columnists) who look up on Obama and the United States as if we are the lapdogs of this coutry.”

In this statement, Duterte was clearly addressing his audience, Obama’s name was only mentioned as an example because somebody in the audience mentioned Obama. I am not a Duterte-fan, but anybody listening to that line, who understands the language will know that he is not degrading Obama, he is merely lifting his people up. He ended it by saying:

“I do not respond to anybody but the people of the Republic of the Philippines”

Now, this is the part that gets dirty. In trying to lift his people, he was subconsciously saying something that can be used against him. Again, from our point of view, his point is that the Philippines should never bow down to any country, there is nothing against President Obama, his name was just dragged.

“Wala akong pakelam sakanya (I don’t care about him). Who is he? I am not beholden to anybody.”

After this, he went on and addressed the columnists.

“May mga kolumnista dyan na (There are columnists out there that write headlines such as) ‘Wait until he meets..’ Who is he? I am a President of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony. I do not have any master except the Filipino people.”

The next line is addressed to the reporter who asked the question, not to Obama as the media is claiming:

“You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Putangina (son of a bitch) I will curse you in that forum.”

As a clarification, Duterte is referring to reporters who are not respectful and are throwing questions at him that are not on topic.