US President Donald Trump reaffirmed America’s longtime alliance with the Philippines and mentioned his upcoming visit to the country in November.
Malacañang said this happened during a phone call of Trump to President Rodrigo Duterte Saturday evening,
Trump’s phone call came at the close of the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Manila, where regional leaders led by Duterte as chair evaded the issue of militarization and reclamation in the South China Sea, and the Philippines’ legal victory over Beijing in the United Nations arbitral ruling.
“The ambit of the conversation between the two leaders includes the expression of commitment of U.S. President Trump to the PH-US alliance and his interest in developing a warm, working relationship with President Duterte,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
“President Trump likewise mentioned that he looks forward to his visit to the Philippines in November for the East Asia Summit,” Abella added.
In a statement, the White House Office of the Press Secretary described the conversation between Trump and Duterte as “friendly,” saying the two leaders discussed regional security issues and the Philippine government’s war on drugs, among other matters.
Trump also invited Duterte to visit the White House this year.
