President Rodrigo Duterte’s “private” meeting with United States (US) Ambassador Sung Kim at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, September 12, has led to “closer” relations with Washington, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said on Thursday, September 13.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with the United States. And I’m sure that every meeting between the President and the US ambassador will result in closer relations,” Roque told Palace reporters.
President Duterte, for his part, refused to spill the beans about his “confidential” meeting with the US ambassador.
On the sidelines of command conference held in Quezon City, Duterte told reporters that he would first seek Kim’s permission before making public the issues raised during their meeting held at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, September 12.
The President, nevertheless, stressed that there was “nothing earthshaking” about his meeting with Kim.
“I cannot discuss that until I get his permission. It’s a diplomatic tête-à-tête but nothing earthshaking but more of confidentiality. I hate to break the rules,” he said.
Duterte met with Kim three weeks after he challenged the US to prove its willingness to enter into a possible weapons procurement deal with the Philippines.
The US, in a letter addressed to Duterte, has expressed openness to have a “future defense procurement” with the Philippines, in a bid to “strengthen and deepen the steadfast bonds” between the two nations.
On August 23, Duterte said he would only be amenable to a possible defense procurement deal with the US if Washington is able to show “utter good faith” in selling weapons to the Philippine troops.
Roque said he had no further details about the issues raised during the meeting between Duterte and Kim.
In a Twitter post, Kim described his meeting with Duterte as “excellent,” noting that the two nations agreed to maintain “strong and ironclad” relations.
“Excellent meeting with President Duterte to discuss shared goals, including defense priorities and economic partnership. Our alliance remains strong and ironclad,” the US ambassador to the Philippines said. (SunStar Philippines)
LATEST STORIES
Tech scams to watch out for
Technology is everywhere these days, reaching into every aspect of our lives and empowering us in ways we never would have imagined in the past. With that new power comes new dangers however, and we … [Read More...]
AH-1W for Attack Chopper?
The U.S Department of Defense is in talks with their Philippine counterpart on the acquisition of 10 AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, with 2 frames possibly funded by Foreign Military Sales (FMS) … [Read More...]
Blackhawk in Philippines, Finally
The Philippine Air Force’s technical working group (TWG) has identified Sikorsky UH60 (Blackhawk) as the combat utility helicopter that would replace the mothballed Bell 412 EPIs, while the selection … [Read More...]
US willing to contribute to PHL Navy modernization, says official
The United States Navy on Monday said that it is willing to give some equipment needed for the Navy modernization training of the Philippine Navy's personnel. "We can contribute, certainly from … [Read More...]
Balangiga bells to be returned December
The bells of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, are set to be returned to the country before the end of year after more than a century of being in the United States as war booties from the Philippine-American … [Read More...]
Philippine Coast Guard to establish new radar station on Boracay island
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is establishing a new coastal radar station at Mount Luho on the island of Boracay to improve its visibility of maritime traffic along the Sibuyan and Sulu … [Read More...]
Join the Conversation