Duterte, Trump discuss COVID-19 cooperation via phone call
President Rodrigo Duterte spoke to his United States counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday night to discuss bilateral efforts to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“President Duterte to receive call from US President Trump; will discuss bilateral cooperation against COVID-19,” Senator Bong Go told reporters earlier, according to GMA News’ Ian Cruz.
Sen. Bong Go: President Duterte to receive call from US President Trump; will discuss bilateral cooperation against COVID-19 @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Z3AoRJE9rs
— Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) April 19, 2020
The conversation of the two leaders lasted 18 minutes, Joseph Morong also reported.
Pres. Duterte receives call from US Pres. Donald Trump to discuss bilateral cooperation va COVID-19. Photos from Sen. Bong Go @gmanews pic.twitter.com/rMMx2NFDCD
— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) April 19, 2020
Data from Johns Hopkins University show that the US has the highest number of COVID-19 cases worldwide with over 735,000 infections as of Sunday night.
The Philippines, on the other hand, has the second-highest number of COVID-19 infections in Southeast Asia at 6,259, trailing behind Indonesia with 6,575 cases.
In a televised address last week, Duterte accused the US of “causing problems” for the Philippines by luring Filipino healthcare workers away from their homeland. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News