We are an important ally," Duterte told Trump at the beginning of their talks, according to reporters allowed in to the meeting room. President Rodrigo Duterte and U.S. President Donald Trump hold bilateral meeting. https://t.co/sDo55hwVGt pic.twitter.com/I41jmlqbIj — CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) November 13, 2017(Video Twitter/@cnnphilippines)When a reporter asked Trump if he would raise human rights at the meeting, Duterte said: "Whoa, whoa. Trump was criticised in May for praising Duterte during a phone call for the "great job" he was doing to counter illegal narcotics. "The issue between President Duterte and former President Barack Obama is a thing of the past," Andanar said.

Source: Bangkok Post November 13, 2017 07:48 UTC