WASHINGTON—US President Donald Trump on Saturday invited his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte to Washington in a “friendly” call in which the leaders discussed the threat of North Korea, the White House said.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs following its latest test-fire, as well international criticism of Duterte’s drug crackdown that has claimed thousands of lives.
“It was a very friendly conversation, in which the two leaders discussed the concerns of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [Asean] regarding regional security, including the threat posed by North Korea,” the statement said.
The leaders also “discussed the fact that the Philippine government is fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs, a scourge that affects many countries throughout the world.”
The Philippine President has relentlessly railed against criticism of his drug war, which Amnesty International and other rights groups have warned may amount to a crime against humanity.
Duterte last year branded then US President Barack Obama a “son of a whore” for criticizing the drug war, and more recently called European lawmakers “crazies” for issuing a statement condemning the killings.
The White House said Trump "enjoyed the conversation" and looks forward to attending the key US-Asean and East Asia summits in the Philippines in November.
ìPresident Trump also invited President Duterte to the White House to discuss the importance of the United States-Philippines alliance, which is now heading in a very positive direction,î the White House said.
US Vice President Mike Pence had announced that Trump would attend the Asian meetings as a sign of his ìunwavering commitmentî to the region.
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the White House called the Palace Saturday evening, after the Philippines had hosted the 30th Asean Summit.
"President Trump likewise mentioned that he looks forward to his visit to the Philippines in November for the East Asia Summit [EAS]," Abella said.
ìFurther, the discussion that transpired between the presidents was warm, with President Trump expressing his understanding and appreciation of the challenges facing the Philippine President, especially on the matter of dangerous drugs,î said Abella.
ìOther topics were also touched on like that of the upcoming summit, as well as matters of regional geo-political concerns, especially on the situation in North Korea,î Abela said.
ìMoreover, there was a mention of an invitation from President Trump to President Rodrigo Duterte to visit the White House,îAbella added.
Trump invited Duterte to the White House ìto discuss the importance of the United States-Philippines alliance, which is now heading in a very positive direction,î the US Office of the Press Secretary said in a statement.
The White House gave no details of when the leaders would meet in Washington, but said Trump looked forward to visiting the Philippines in November as part of two summits with other Asian nations.
Before Trump took office, Duterte had hurled tirades against Washington for criticizing the deaths of thousands of drug suspects in his war on illicit drugs.
Ties between security allies US and Manila improved under Trump, who has not openly criticized Duterteís controversial campaign so far.
The US State Department, however, recently described the drug-related killings in the Philippines as "troubling."