No talks on PHL drug war in Duterte, Trump meeting —Roque

DA NANG, VIETNAM — There will be no talks on the Philippines' controversial and deadly drug war when President Duterte and US President Donald Trump sit down for a bilateral meeting on Monday, November 13.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque at a press conference here at the sidelines of the APEC Summit said that President Duterte will refuse any talks on domestic issues such as the drug war.

Although he said he was confident that Trump will not bring up the matter given that the United States president had endorsed the drug war of the Duterte administration before.

But Roque said other issues might be discussed such as the North Korea missile crisis and the militarization of the South China Sea, where several countries including the Philippines have various territorial claims.

Duterte and Trump met briefly during the APEC family photo call on Saturday.

Roque said the meeting was warm and cordial.

"The two leaders were genuinely pleased to see each other," Roque said.

Trump reportedly told Duterte he would see him tomorrow.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Manila tomorrow while Duterte is expected to be back in the Philippines tonight in time for the opening of the ASEAN Summit which the Philippines is hosting this year. — MDM, GMA News