Philippine president wants to be friends with Trump, Putin
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2016, file photo, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech at the Philippine Economic Forum in Tokyo. Duterte, who has lashed out at U.S. President Barack Obama for criticizing his deadly crackdown on drugs, said his ties with the United States are likely to improve under Donald Trump, but that he is also excited to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin at an upcoming Asia-Pacific summit. Duterte made upbeat remarks about both the president-elect and Putin at a news conference late Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016 in Manila. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File) (The Associated Press)
The Philippine president, who has been hostile to Barack Obama for criticizing his deadly anti-drug crackdown, has congratulated Donald Trump for a "well-deserved victory" and says he is excited to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin at an upcoming Asia-Pacific summit.
President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been criticized for his foul language and the drug crackdown, gave upbeat remarks about the president-elect and Putin in a late-Tuesday news conference.
Asked whether his ties with America can improve under Trump, Duterte replied: "I'm sure, we have no quarrel. I can always be a friend to anybody."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Duterte says he has sought a meeting with Putin, who he adds also loves guns, at the APEC summit in Peru and wants their countries to be the "best of friends."