Analyst Heydarian on Duterte, Trump’s ‘friendly rapport’

Liberal political experts in Washington, D.C. agree that there is a friendly rapport between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Donald Trump, but are concerned that such a “solidarity” may be interpreted as a US endorsement of the Philippines’ controversial war on drugs, GMA News’ resident analyst Richard Heydarian said in an interview on News To Go on Tuesday.

Heydarian noted that Duterte and Trump have some similarities, including populist leadership styles flavored with strong attitudes against the establishment and the media, he added.

Trump reportedly called Duterte in May to tell him he is doing “an unbelievable job on the drug problem” despite widespread criticism of the campaign elsewhere.

“In that sense, merong element of bromance. Talagang inaasahan ko, to be honest, magkakaroon ng very convivial, masayang meeting sa pagitan ng dalawang leader na yan,” Heydarian said.

In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if Trump does the famous fist gesture with Duterte, he added.

Heydarian added that the “more practical” view of the two leaders’ expected one-on-one meeting this month is that it will be beneficial in maintaining the rapport between the two countries, especially in light of what appears to be Duterte’s cozying up to China, even as the US government helped in the liberation of Maute-held Marawi City.

Duterte and Trump are among the 21 world leaders who are expected to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit, which will be hosted by the Philippines, next week. — Nicole-Anne Lagrimas/BM, GMA News