Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is prepared to tell President Donald Trump to “lay off” if he raises the issue of human rights. Trump will be in Manila on the last leg of his 12-day Asian trip, which includes visits to Japan, South Korea, China, and Vietnam. Trump will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Danang, Vietnam, make a state visit to Hanoi and end his trip with the Association of South East Asia Nations summit in Manila.
Duterte, who brooks no criticism of his human rights record and war on drugs, offered a comment on what he would tell Trump if he raised human rights.
“You want to ask a question, I’ll give you an answer. Lay off. That is not your business. That is my business. I take care of my country and I will nurture my country to health,” Duterte told Reuters.
He expects to discuss trade, terrorism and the position of the U.S. on the South China Sea dispute with Trump. The Philippine Star reported that White House officials have said that it is not expected that the U.S. president mentions human rights.
“We will wait for results when I would be in a position to give him a balanced answer. It would be based on the outcome of their talks and the points that would touch the Philippines then I would have to decide what is based on my country alone,” Duterte said.
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