PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte respects United States President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily banning citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US for the next 90 days.
“You know, Trump said [when we spoke], I will not interfere in the affairs of other countries. Now, if he has policies to protect his country, I’ll understand because he said [the US] will not interfere in our anti-drug war,” Duterte said in a press conference late Sunday night.
“You’re doing it right. As a matter of fact, my country is also facing the same serious problem,” the President added.
During their phone conversation last Dec. 3, President Duterte said then US President-elect Trump admitted to him that the US is also facing a serious problem on illegal drugs.
“So out of respect, I can only answer him in the manner that he has told me. I will not interfere,” Duterte said, adding that Filipinos in the US should be on the right track.
“If you are not allowed to stay there, get out, because if you are caught and deported, we will not lift a finger. You know it’s a violation of the law,” he said.
But if there is a compelling reason to do so, Duterte said he is ready to provide sanctuary for those Muslim refugees who will be affected by Trump’s order with the concurrence of the Philippine Congress.
“In the name of humanity and God, we’ll have to make some adjustments. If there is a compelling reason for us to offer sanctuary, I’m one of those that it is okay for me,” the President said.
“Those who have no place to go, if they cannot go anywhere, anymore, except to face death by hunger, we will consider it but it has to be with the concurrence of Congress. I have no problem accepting refugees,” he added.