(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday (September 12) revealed that he skipped the meeting between Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the United States (US) on purpose last Thursday (September 8).
“I purposely did not attend the bilateral meeting between the ASEAN and the US. Talagang ini-skip ko iyan. The reason is not that I am anti-West. It is simply a matter of principle,” Duterte admitted in his speech.
Last week, Palace officials told the public that Duterte did not attend the said meeting due to illness and migraine attack.
Duterte has been an open critic of the US. His controversial pre-departure speech prompted US President Barack Obama to cancel their scheduled bilateral meeting.
The two leaders however met and spoke briefly before the summit’s gala dinner last Wednesday (September 7).
During the ASEAN-East Asia Summit, Duterte presented photos of Bud Dajo Massacre which involved American soldiers during United States’ pacification efforts. This, according to Duterte, left all attendees– including Obama– speechless.
