Philippine Prez extends olive branch to Trump, Putin

The Philippine president, who has been hostile to Barack Obama for criticising his deadly anti-drug crackdown, has congratulated Donald Trump for a “well-deserved victory” and said he is excited to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin at an upcoming Asia-Pacific summit. 

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been criticised for his foul language and drug crackdown, gave upbeat remarks about the President-elect and Putin in Manila late on Tuesday. Asked if his ties with America could improve under Trump, Duterte replied: “I’m sure, we have no quarrel. I can always be a friend to anybody, specially to a ... president, chief executive of another country.”