Palace: Xi, Trump appreciate Duterte leadership, Pinoys should too

Malacañang on Thursday said leaders of China and the United States have shown the key leadership role of President Rodrigo Duterte in the region, and that Filipinos should follow their lead.

In a briefing, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella touted the recent phone conversations of Duterte with Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump as supposedly indicating “statesmanship, that he is actually a key player in maintaining peace in the region.”

"As the POTUS said, the Philippines is key right now in the region. Definitely, it goes to show that the President is being recognized for his leadership in the area,”  Abella said.

Abella added that “the locals should also show a better appreciation of their President.”

Xi called Duterte on Wednesday afternoon to talk about security matters, including the situation in the Korean Peninsula. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Duterte discussed China’s role in promoting peace in the region with Xi during the phone call.

Trump also called Duterte over the weekend right after the Philippines hosted the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on Saturday. The White House said that Trump invited Duterte to the Washington D.C. —JST, GMA News