DFA refuses to confirm or deny leaked Duterte-Trump call transcript

The Department of Foreign Affairs has neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of a leaked confidential transcript of the phone call between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Donald Trump, which reportedly came from the agency.

“While we value the need for transparency and the people's right to information, release of certain pieces of information, whether accurate or inaccurate, can affect national security and regional peace and stability,” the DFA said in a statement.

The transcript of the April 29 phone call between the two leaders, bearing the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs cover sheet and marked as confidential, was published on Wednesday by US-based news agencies Washington Post and the New York Times.

While it did not deny the veracity of the document, the DFA warned that “under Philippine law, there is criminal and civil liability attached to the hacking, unauthorized disclosure and use of illegally or inadvertently-obtained confidential government documents.”

“As such, we appeal to the sense of responsibility and patriotism of all concerned," it said.

In that phone conversation, Trump praised Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, saying he is doing a “great job” in addressing the problem in the country, where thousands have been killed without legal process and sparked alarm from the international community and human rights groups.

Duterte and Trump also talked about the growing threat of North Korea’s nuclear missile program and its leader Kim Jong Un, who was described by the Philippine leader as “this generation’s madman.”

“His mind is not working well and he just might go crazy one moment," said Duterte.

Trump agreed with his counterpart, saying Kim is a “madman with nuclear weapons.” He also revealed to Duterte that the US has “a lot of firepower” and “two submarines” near North Korean waters.

Both said they believe China, a key North Korean ally, plays a vital role in exerting influence on Kim to prevent conflict.

As it refused to further comment on the document, the DFA merely noted the “good and warm working relationship” between Duterte and Trump.

“We are confident it will continue to be nurtured towards a positive direction for the benefit of the longstanding partnership,” the DFA said.

It likewise stressed that Manila supports the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and encourages the parties concerned to continuously engage in peaceful dialogue. — RSJ, GMA News