Philippines' Duterte on Trump's White House invitation: 'I'm tied up'

World
Europe

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that he could not commit to visiting the White House, after the US President Donald Trump extended an invitation to him on Saturday.

"I am tied up. I cannot make any definite promise. I am supposed to go to Russia, I am supposed to go to Israel," Duterte told reporters.

Trump invited Duterte to Washington during a phone call in which the two discussed Duterte's war on drugs and their countries' alliance.

File photo of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte /VCG Photo

Though the Philippine president expressed concerns about his tight schedule, he said relations between the Philippines and the US had changed.

"It was not a distancing (of relations) but it was rather a rift between me and the (US) State Department and Mr. Obama, who spoke openly against me," he said.

The relationship between Duterte and the former US President Barack Obama was strained. Duterte once referred to Obama as "son of a whore" and asked him to "go to hell." He claimed "only China can help us" while vowed to sever Manila's relationship with the US.

"Things have changed, there is a new leadership. He wants to make friends. He says we are friends so why should we pick a fight?" said Duterte.

The Philippine president has faced international condemnation for his brutal crackdown on drugs. The campaign has claimed thousands of lives and led to warnings from rights groups about constituting a possible crime against humanity.

Duterte's comments on Monday came shortly after he visited three Chinese warships docked in his hometown of Davao, where he said he was impressed with the vessels and highlighted the fast-warming relations with Beijing.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (wearing cap) visits the guided missile frigate Changchun on May 1, 2017. / VCG Photo

The Philippine president also said on Monday that he was willing to conduct joint military exercises with China.

"It's a good ship. We can have a joint exercise any time you want. We are ready. We'd be proud to sail the seas with you."