18 May US President Obama Called Duterte by Phone to Extend His Congratulations
Image Source | www.rappler.com
Garnering the largest share of the votes during the May 9 presidential elections, Rodrigo Duterte was called by US president Barack Obama on Tuesday by telephone extending his congratulations for being the “presumptive president-elect”. And according to a senior White House aide, Washington is hoping for continued efforts regarding the obeyance towards the rule of law and in combatting corruption in the Philippines.
In a tweet by Cedric Castillo can be read, “EXCLUSIVE: Incoming Pres. Duterte: US Pres. Barack Obama called me to extend his congratulations.”
EXCLUSIVE: Incoming Pres. Duterte: US Pres. Barack Obama called me to extend his congratulations. @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/ytXcj5lo8y
— Cedric Castillo (@cedric_castillo) May 17, 2016
Earlier on Tuesday, Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser said in a Washington seminar that the US administration has been aware that there was some “controversy” revolving around Duterte including his statements that created an uproar in the past, but he didn’t elaborate.
Rhodes said that Washington hoped “to build on progress made with the last administration” in the Philippines, and with the new government that is to commence, “we’ll want to hear from them directly what their priorities are.”
Duterte has been lambasted for allowing spree killings of vigilantes under his reign in Davao City and some are fearing that he could let the same scenario happen on a larger scale, this time as the country’s president. But, washington has already steered clear of the controversy.
“We believe that now as much as ever it’s important that the US and Philippines are seen working together,” Rhodes said.
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