What he did not do was what many predecessors have done before: highlight human rights abuses while overseas. But during brief remarks to reporters, Trump said he and Duterte have “had a great relationship” and avoided questions on whether he’d raise human rights issues with the Filipino leaders. Spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said human rights came up “briefly” in the context of the Philippines’ fight against illegal drugs. Harry Roque, a spokesman for Duterte, said “there was no mention of human rights. Human rights groups believe the victim total is far higher, perhaps closer to 9,000.

Source: thestar November 13, 2017 13:16 UTC