Duterte does not want fight with Obama

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said he didn't want to pick a fight with the US despite a strongly-worded tirade made earlier in the day against President Barack Obama.

"I don't want to quarrel with him. He's the most powerful president of any country on the planet," Duterte said upon his arrival in Vientianne, Laos.

GMA News' Ian Cruz reported that when Duterte was asked whether his scheduled meeting with Obama will push through, the latter answered: "I don't know, maybe if I feel good."

Earlier, Duterte said that nobody can lecture him on his war against illegal drugs in the country, not even Obama.

"Sila ang isyu nang isyu ng national security adviser niya. I think it was one of his staff, national security adviser was saying they will bring up the matter of extrajudicial killings. That is not a proper subject of a summit like this. It would be improper and highly bastos,” the president argued.

Obama, meanwhile, described Duterte as a "colorful guy," adding "I always want to make sure if I'm having a meeting that it's actually productive."

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Prefecto Yasay said the bilateral talks between Obama and Duterte will push through.

He added that there is no basis for the cancellation of the talks.

When Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was asked whether the talks between the two leaders will push through, he answered: "I hope so. I don't see a reason na hindi matuloy pareho naman sinagot nila parehong theoretical (questions)."

"Natural lang na kapagka nag iintrview trabaho nyo magtanong ng mabibigat na tanong both sides. Even sa China nagka issue sa handling ng visit ni President Obama. Pag si President (Vladimir) Putin nagkakaroon ng ganoon."

"At pagka face to face na i think diplomacy,  civility will find a way. Syempre pare pareho may strong advocacy eh may strong advocacy ang US for human rights eh. May strong advocacy naman ang ating pangulo na maging independent ang ating banda but im hoping all will go well and the bilaterals, one on one face to face meetings will go well," he added. — Trisha Macas/BAP, GMA News