MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said he will not tackle the issue of human rights with President Donald Trump during their first bilateral meeting.
“That is my business. I take care of my country and I will nurture my country to help,” President Duterte in a press briefing said.
The President then said he will prioritize discussions about US-Philippines business relations and the status of the security relationship between the two countries in the bilateral talks.
Duterte will also tackle terrorism and the US position on the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
These issues are very timely and essential, he said.
On the other hand, groups based in Canada called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to speak and urge the Philippine President to end the alleged violations of human rights in the country and to uphold the rights of human rights defenders.