Trump hails 'great relationship' with self-proclaimed killer Duterte

US president praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them "beautifully"

MANILA: Donald Trump declared Monday he had a "great relationship" with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed killer who is waging a drugs war that rights groups say involves mass murder, as the leaders joked with each other in Manila.

The US president is in the Philippines with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis.

Allegations of Russian meddling in last year's US presidential elections have dogged the second half of his 12-day trip, which has taken him from Japan to South Korea, China and Vietnam.



Rights groups had called on Trump to end his Asian journey with a strong statement against Duterte's drugs war, which has seen police and suspected vigilantes kill thousands of people.

But Trump and Duterte had a series of encounters on Sunday night and Monday morning in which they appeared to enjoy each others' company, leading to warm praise from the US president during official talks at lunchtime.

"We've had a great relationship. This has been very successful," Trump told Duterte in brief opening remarks at their meeting.

Trump praised Duterte for his organisation of the summits, saying he handled them "beautifully".

"I've really enjoyed being here," he said.

As the reporters were being escorted out of the room, one asked if Trump would raise the issue of human rights, to which Duterte jokingly called the media "spies", and neither answered.

Duterte's spokesperson later said the meeting lasted for more than 40 minutes, and that Trump did not raise any human rights concerns.



Duterte won elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs with an unprecedented campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown.

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Manila on Monday to protest against the two men. They were met by riot police and water cannon.

Many Filipinos back Duterte, believing he is taking necessary measures to fight crime, but rights groups warn he may be orchestrating a crime against humanity.