Despite President Duterte’s attack through strong comments, President Obama did not take it personally.
US President Barack Obama did not make President Rodrigo Duterte’s harsh words against him as a big issue.
On Monday, September 5, Duterte called Obama as a son of a whore after being asked about the possible topic on human rights when they meet in Laos on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
Duterte and Obama were supposed to formally meet Tuesday afternoon at the capital city of Vientiane, however, the White House, cancelled the talks after Duterte’s profanity-laced rants against the US President.
Even this happened, it seems like there is nothing wrong between President Duterte and President Obama.
On Thursday, Obama said he did not take the harsh comments by Duterte as a personal attack on him.
“As I said when I was asked about this in China, I don’t take these comments personally because it seems that this is a phrase he’s used repeatedly, directed at the Pope and others and so,” Obama said.
“I think it seems to be just a habit, a way of speaking for him,” he added.
As initially reported by Malacañang officials that Duterte and the US President met before the Gala dinner, Obama also confirmed that he had an interaction with Duterte on Wednesday night.
“I did shake hands with President Duterte last night. It was not a long interaction. And what I indicated to him is that my team should be meeting with his and determine how we can move forward on a whole range of issues,” he said.
Obama also urged Duterte to conduct his crime war, especially against illegal drugs traders and users “the right way.”
This is after 3,000 people were already killed in the crackdown in just over two months since Duterte took the position as the President.
“As despicable as these [crime] networks may be and as much damage as they do, it is important from our perspective to make sure that we do it the right way,” Obama told reporters when asked about his conversation with Duterte on the sidelines of the ASEAN regional summit in Laos.