MANILA • US President-elect Donald Trump told Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte that Manila was conducting its deadly drug war "the right way", Mr Duterte said yesterday, in stark contrast to the criticism he received from President Barack Obama.
The Philippine President called Mr Trump late last Friday to congratulate him on his election victory, with Mr Trump wishing him "success" in his controversial anti-crime crackdown, in which about 4,800 people have been killed since June, according to Mr Duterte.
"He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs. And he wishes me well... in my campaign and he said that... we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way," Mr Duterte said in a video released by his office yesterday. "He was wishing me success in my campaign against the drug problem."
Mr Duterte, 71, launched an unprecedented war on drugs that drew a wave of global criticism, with Mr Obama urging the leader in September to conduct his campaign "the right way", following concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings.
Mr Trump's office released a brief statement following the conversation, saying Mr Duterte had congratulated Mr Trump, 70, and the two agreed to work together closely.
In October, Mr Duterte announced a "separation" from the United States and had called for the withdrawal of American troops from his country, putting into question Manila's 70-year-old alliance with Washington.
But yesterday, Mr Duterte said he "could sense a good rapport" with an "animated" Mr Trump. Mr Duterte's spokesman said the "understanding" between the two leaders signalled better Philippine-US ties.
Video released by Mr Duterte's office showed the Philippine leader laughing as he chatted on the telephone, later saying Mr Trump would be "a good president for the United States of America".
Mr Duterte said the President- elect invited him to visit New York and Washington and he returned the favour by asking Mr Trump to attend a regional summit that the Philippines is set to host next year.
"If I'm around, he wants to be notified of my presence," Mr Duterte said.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
