Obama to Dutere: Do it the right way

Photo from Rappler

United States President Barack Obama urged President Rodrigo Duterte to push through with his campaign against illegal drugs but do it “the right way”, where 3,000 people were killed in just two months.

“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 in the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos when asked how his talk with Duterte went.

“Because the consequences of when you do it the wrong way are innocent people get hurt and you have a bunch of unintended consequences that don’t solve the problem,” Obama said he told Mr. Duterte.

The Philippines and the US have been long time allies yet had a setback this week after Duterte gave a remark about Obama that offended the US President.

This outburst was his reaction when asked how he would react should Obama reprimand him in his war against drugs.

“I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody. You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Putang ina, I will curse you in that forum,” Mr. Duterte told reporters, using the Filipino phrase for “son of a bitch,” shortly before flying to Laos.

Obama cancelled their meeting after the media attention to the statement became widespread.

Despite growing condemnation of citizens, rights groups and the UN on the rampant extrajudicial killings, Duterte has vowed to continue his methods.

SOURCE: Inquirer

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