Obama having second thoughts on talk with Rody?

MANILA, Philippines - Comments made by US President Barack Obama at the end of the G-20 meeting in China last night have fueled speculation that he might be having second thoughts about meeting with President Duterte.

It isn’t clear whether Obama planned to raise the issue of extrajudicial killings with Duterte on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Laos.

In expletive-laced comments, Duterte warned yesterday that if Obama lectured him on the killings and human rights, the situation could turn ugly.

Asked at a news conference in Hangzhou, China, whether he still intends to meet with Duterte and raise the issue of extrajudicial killings, Obama said he had instructed his aides to assess whether it is still possible for the two leaders to have a constructive meeting in Laos.

“I always want to make sure that if I’m having a meeting that it’s actually productive, and that we’re getting something done,” Obama said.

“We recognize the significant burden that the drug trade plays not just in the Philippines but around the world, and fighting narco-trafficking is tough. But we will always assert the need to have due process and to engage in that fight against drugs in a way that’s consistent with basic international norms. And so, undoubtedly, if and when we have a meeting this is something that is going to be brought up,” said Obama. With AP