Obama, Duterte meet despite Filipino leader’s crude language
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Barack Obama waved to the media as he arrived for the gala dinner of ASEAN leaders and its Dialogue Partners in the ongoing 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and other related summits at the National Convention Center Wednesday, in Vientiane, Laos.
VIENTIANE, Laos » President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met informally on Wednesday in a holding room before attending a gala dinner at a regional summit, Philippine officials said.
The brief meeting took a little sting out of the soured relations caused by Duterte’s intemperate language in referring to Obama earlier this week. That had caused Obama to cancel a formal meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Pefecto Yasay told The Associated Press that the leaders had met.
“They met at the holding room and they were the last persons to leave the holding room. I can’t say how long they met. It all springs from the fact the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is firm, very strong. The basis for this relationship is historical and both leaders realize this. And I’m very happy that it happened.”
Obama and Duterte are in the Laotian capital along with other regional leaders for the summit. All of them made their way through the holding room before heading to the banquet hall.
According to a White House official who would not be named discussing the private meeting: Obama had a brief discussion with Duterte before the ASEAN Gala Dinner in the leaders’ holding space. The exchange consisted of pleasantries between the two.
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On Monday, hours before arriving in Laos, Duterte told Philippine reporters he wouldn’t accept questions from Obama about extrajudicial killings that have occurred during his crackdown on suspected drug dealers and users. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the crackdown since he took office on June 30.
“I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody. You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions. Putang ina, I will swear at you in that forum,” Duterte said, using the Tagalog phrase for “son of a bitch.”
On Tuesday, Duterte expressed regret over the remarks, but the damage was done.
A Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Charles Joe, also said Obama and Duterte met in the holding room. He said it was a mutually agreed meeting, but that he had no details of what was discussed.
Obama and Duterte entered the dinner venue separately, and were seated far apart and did not interact with each other during the dinner that lasted an hour and 20 minutes.
30 responses to “Obama, Duterte meet despite Filipino leader’s crude language”
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Was the red carpet rolled out?
Obama was the one apologizing to Duterte LOL
Back room meeting is not such a good idea! It conveys less than cordial relations. Better to state your position instead pussy-footing the strained relationship. At least it clears the air as how one feels to each other. Am sure in an open forum Obama would have brow-beaten Duterte about killing of over 2,000 drug dealers. To placate the liberal,idealists two make up his backers.
Bong Bong brokered the meeting.
They should let a bong both broker and decide the meeting. They’d carry Duterte out feet first in a blanket. Then a few moments later, Obama would saunter out whistling, blowing perfect “O” smoke rings for “O”bama and “O”ahu-a as he went!
“You must be respectful…” was followed up by Duterte with, “…I will swear at you, son of a bitch!”
This idiot is as dumb as Obama.
Thank God Trump wasn’t the President. He would have told Duterte to shove it!
Yes. or worse. At the very least, one would hope diplomacy does not consist of f bombs thrown both ways. When I first heard of this incident, I started wondering what the Tagalog word for soap was.
And rightfully so, the Philippines president is without question a murderer. What he has done would not be acceptable in any civilized country in the world. It’s the type of thing you’d expect from Saudi Arabia or North Korea.
You might want to watch “Narcos.” on Netflix. It’s fictionalized but interesting, especially the part about the Columbia government working with the US and “Los Pepes.” Détente appears to be someone who learns how to act by watching TV.
Perhaps they compared golf scores?
Most likely. Otherwise, more profanities would be coming out of Duerte’s mouth. What is the Tagalog word for soap? Someone’s mouth needed washed out during his life. A leader of a nation making front page news because of his bad language.
Obama is a former drug user, surprised Duterte didn’t have him taken out.
Taken out? Lol, one move and crispy chichirron for Duerte.
That’s probably why Barry canceled the meeting in the first place–he’s probably crying himself to sleep over all the dead drug dealers. If he had a son, he would look like a Duterte killing.
Can this be true?
http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2016/08/malia-obama-caught-smoking-pot-at-lollapalooza/
GASP!
Gasp! An of-age woman partaking in a legal activity? What is the world coming to?
Not legal unless the First Daughter has a medical card. Nonetheless, I am less concerned about so-and-so being seen smoking a joint. I am more upset about knowing about people whose drinking controls them. Remember Jimi Hendrix, John, Bonham, and Janis Joplin. Pakalolo did not kill them.
paka no count…………
Trump is a drug user. Drug of choice: EGO. If Duterte pissed Trump off, Manila would be another Hiroshima!
Speaking of Secret Service and all of the federal law enforcement officials charged with protecting the president, I do find it very ironic that these brave men and women have sworn to lay down their lives to protect someone of Obama’s character and history. We know that Barack Hussein Obama, in his own words:
1) sold marijuana out of his locker at Punahou.
2) used cocaine extensively as a young man.
3) associated with radicals and communists as a young man.
4) was raised by a grandfather who was a professed communist.
5) was mentored by a man (Frank Marshall Davis) who was a high-profile communist leader on the FBI watch-list.
And because of this, Barack Hussein Obama:
1) Could never pass a basic LEO background check.
2) Could NEVER get even a mid-level security clearance, much less the Top Secret clearance required to be any type of 1811 federal special agent.
3) Could never be a Secret Service Agent.
4) Could never be a Secret Service analyst.
5) Could never be a Secret Service clerk.
6) Could never be a Secret Service secretary.
7) Could never be a Secret Service janitor.
BUT HE CAN BE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH, and surrounded by truly fantastic, patriotic and professional Secret Service Agents who are required to take a bullet for him.
I’m sorry, but that does NOT make sense to me. And don’t even get me started on the next Felon-in-Chief, Hillary R. Clinton.
It’s a sad time for our great nation.
You are in the wrong State if you want change. All it does is go on deaf ears. I heard many Hawaiians wanting Obama because he understands our people? What has he done for our people besides cause traffic during Christmas? Now we have a habitual liar of Hillary knocking on the door. You know Obama pardoned more prisoners than the last 10 presidents combined? (Many from federal prisons). You know at least one of those prisoners is right behind bars where they belong as they got arrested again. He killed a woman and her two children after Obama felt the man should be pardoned. Thank you government for making our streets safer.
“I heard many Hawaiians wanting Obama because he understands our people?” …and with that, you just showed us locals that you were #FlownHereNotGrownHere.
Somewhere a banana republic is missing it’s dictator.
Actually, we aren’t missing Dear Leader Obama one bit.
well said…………..
Hmm? Is that my choice? President or Secret Service janitor? Let’s see, which one would I want to be?
So Duterte uses crude language. Big deal!
I love my president and I take offense at this “leader’s” comments!
Not since Jimmy Carter has the US had such a weak leader. Who’s he meeting next, Kim Jung Un?