president." Manila also needs Washington's help in dealing with a more assertive China in the disputed South China Sea. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I do not want to quarrel with the most powerful country on the planet," but immediately returned to his typical combative approach, saying: "Washington has been so liberal about criticizing human rights (abuses), human rights and human rights. I have so many questions also about human rights to ask you. Philippine-China ties were strained under Duterte's predecessors due to territorial conflicts in the South China Sea.

Source: ABC News September 06, 2016 04:42 UTC