MANILA, Philippines — US President Donald Trump called President Rodrigo Duterte to praise the Philippine president for his “unbelievable” and “great” job in the government's war on drugs.
This, according to a leaked phone call transcript of the two leaders after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Leaders’ Summit last April 29.
“I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem,” Trump said.
“Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that,” he added.
Duterte said that the problem on illegal drugs is “the scourge of my nation now” and he needs “to do something to preserve the Filipino nation.”
Trump agreed and said he fully understands the problem on drugs.
“I think we had a previous president who did not understand that, but I understand that and we have spoken about this before,” Trump added, while referring to former US President Barack Obama.
The Office of American Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who made the transcript, initially warned the supposed recipients of the transcript, its undersecretary for civilian security and consular concerns or officer-in charge through the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, that they are not authorized to disclose the contents of the transcript as it may endanger the national security of the two countries.
However, the transcript of the April 29 phone conversation, which had a“confidential” cover sheet, circulated on Wednesday.
Actual transcript is remarkable - Trump just says hello, then immediately says he's calling to congratulate Duterte on his work on drugs. pic.twitter.com/bWhHzRF6yZ
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) May 23, 2017
The New York Times said it has a source in Washington, a senior administration official, who confirmed that the transcript was accurate. The publication said the official was not authorized “to publicly discuss the call and confirmed it on the condition of anonymity.”
In the same conversation, the two leaders also discussed the ASEAN leaders’ worry on the situation in North Korea and the rockets and warheads in the hands of North Korean President Kim Jong-Un.
Trump boasted that he can handle the situation and said the US has two submarines ready to respond.
“We have a lot of firepower over there. We have two submarines — the best in the world — we have two nuclear submarines, not that we want to use them at all,” Trump said.
Trump previously expressed support for Duterte’s crackdown against illegal drugs. The two leaders are expected to meet at the ASEAN Summit in November 2017.
Trump has indicated that he is attending the summit and also invited Duterte to The White House.