President Duterte is expected to meet United States President Barack Obama and other world leaders at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos next week. This will be the first time the President will get a chance to talk with Obama and other leaders to enhance the country’s foreign relations since he came to power last June 30. “We’re not sure about that but if at all, it may be on the sides,” Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told Palace reporters when asked about the President’s meeting with Obama during the ASEAN assembly set for September 6 to 8. “Well basically, they’ll establish acquaintances muna, establish a foreign relationship,” he added. Asked if the President’s human rights record will be tackled in the meeting with Obama, Abella said: “We’re not referring to those matters.” But US deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said Monday that [...]
