MANILA — In a sign of improving relations, President Rodrigo Duterte is now looking forward to welcoming US President Donald Trump in November for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)/East Asian Summit in the Philippines.
“We confirm US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Philippines this November,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.
He said Trump’s visit “underscores the improving PH-US ties and President Duterte is looking forward to welcoming the US President in Manila.”
President Trump will join other world leaders who will attend ASEAN/East Asian Summit in the Philippines.
“As host country, we hope to make the event productive and pleasant to our foreign guests. We will let them experience our world-famous Filipino hospitality to make sure they would have good memories of their stay in the Philippines,” Abella said.
Philippines-US relations had soured during the administration of President Barack Obama as Duterte sought to distance the country from the US and enter into friendlier relations with China and Russia.
Recently, however, Duterte said he is adopting a friendlier stance towards Washington, acknowledging that the US has also been helpful to the Philippines. (OPS/PNA)
