Donald Trump and Philippine Crackpot Duterte: Two Peas in a Pod?

by Michael John Scott

Donald Trump called Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte and expressed his commitment to their alliance and in developing “a warm, working relationship,” a Filipino official said Sunday.  Both men are strikingly similar in tone and demeanor, with both enjoying a reputation for being reckless and unhinged.

Duterte has also been widely criticized by human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, following claims that he may have committed crimes against humanity by inciting killings during his bloody anti-drug campaign.  While Trump has yet to be recognized for such infamy, many suspect it’s just a matter of time given his harsh and threatening rhetoric on immigration and crime.

Unlike President Obama, who publicly scolded the human rights scofflaw, Mr Trump mentioned he was actually looking forward to visiting the Philippines in November to attend an East Asia summit and that Trump has even invited Duterte to the White House, reports the AP.  According to presidential spokesman Abela:

“The discussion … was warm, with President Trump expressing his understanding and appreciation of the challenges facing the Philippine president, especially on the matter of dangerous drugs.”

A White House statement described Saturday’s call as “very friendly” and said the US-Philippine alliance “is now heading in a very positive direction.” The remarks reflect a departure from Duterte’s antagonistic stance toward former President Obama, whom he once told to “go to hell.”

During Obama’s final months in office, the Philippine president moved to build closer ties with China and Russia while threatening to end his nation’s longstanding alliance with the US. On Sunday, three Chinese navy ships were welcomed in Davao city, Duterte’s hometown, by his daughter, city Mayor Sarah Duterte. Abella said without elaborating that North Korea also came up in Trump’s talk with Duterte.

Duterte suggested earlier Saturday that the Trump administration should back away from a standoff with North Korea to avoid risking a nuclear holocaust that could smother Asia. “It would be good for America to just restrain a little bit and if I were President Trump, I’ll just back out, not really in surrender and retreat, but just to let the guy realize that, ‘Ah, please do not do it.'” Duterte said. “It behooves America, who wields the biggest stick, just to really be prudent.”

One hears regularly of “two peas in a pod” and given their views on human rights it appears Trump and Duterte certainly fit that particular idiom. Are we surprised? Probably not, and something else that may not come as a surprise: both Trump and his friend Russia’s President Putin have pledged their full support to Duterte.