Trump Meets With Duterte, Gets Serenaded
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What’s the story?
During President Donald Trump’s whirlwind trip of Asia, he met with controversial Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte — who crooned a hit Filipino love song:
#PresidentDuterte sings #Ikaw with #PilitaCorales, upon request of @realDonaldTrump. #Asean2017 pic.twitter.com/VjGCVeOeqG
— Karen Jimeno (@AttyKarenJimeno) November 12, 2017
When he was finished with the song (which included the lyrics "You are the light in my world, a half of this heart of mine"), Duterte told the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen, I sang uninvited, upon the orders of the commander-in-chief of the United States.”
Why does it matter?
First, because controversial heads of state singing is always entertaining. Here’s Putin belting out "Blueberry Hill":
But also: Some condemned Trump’s visit with Duterte because of the Philippine president’s human rights abuses. As The Guardian explained, "More than 3,900 Filipinos have been killed in a war on drugs that Duterte declared when he took office last year. His government says the police act in self-defense, but critics say executions are taking place with no accountability."
Organizations condemning Duterte’s human rights violations include the European Union, United Nations, Human Rights Watch — and U.S. Congress. And in May, the Senate introduced the Philippines Human Rights Accountability and Counternarcotics Act of 2017.
Last week, Duterte said he would tell Trump to "lay off" if he raised the issue of human rights when they met.
The issue, however, did not come up during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gala, where Duterte and local pop diva Pilita Corrales sang Ikaw ("You") at the dinner in Manila. This wasn’t surprising, given that Trump praised Duterte in May for doing an “unbelievable job on the drug problem.”
And as the L.A. Times reported, "Trump ignored reporters’ questions about human rights and instead focused on the hospitality." Following the summit (and serenade) Trump applauded Duterte: “Rodrigo, I would like to commend you on your success as ASEAN chair at this critical moment in time, and in the association’s history.”
"And the show last night, the talent at that show - I assume mostly from the Philippines - was fantastic. And you were fantastic."
Because of his brash style, Duterte has been nicknamed the "Trump of the East." Which may be unfair to Trump, as, last week, Duterte bragged: "At 16, I killed someone. Just over a look".
What do you think?
Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump briefly discussed human rights with Duterte, but a Philippine spokesperson said "that issue was not raised."
Given Duterte’s human rights violations, should Trump – and Congress – take a harder line against the country? Should the Senate get moving on the Philippines Human Rights Accountability and Counternarcotics Act of 2017? Is it the responsibility of America to police human rights around the world? Hit Take Action, tell your reps, maybe record a video of you singing a song to send them, then share your thoughts below.
— Josh Herman
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