‘Obama won’t pull punches’ in rights talks with Duterte

United States President Barack Obama will not “pull any punches” in raising human rights issues in his expected meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Laos next week.

“The President is certainly not going to pull any punches in raising well-documented and relevant concerns when it comes to human rights,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in an interview with reporters.

Duterte will meet with Obama on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Vientiane, Laos from September 6 to 8.

READ: Obama to meet Duterte in Laos next week

Earnest said Obama was expected to discuss with Duterte the shared interest of the US and the Philippines.

“I think the President is going to speak quite directly about our shared interests with the Philippines.  Both countries benefit from effective cooperation on a variety of issues, including maritime security,” he said.

The Philippines has been a longtime ally of the US in Asia.

“Another feature of our alliances is the President’s not just ability, but willingness, to speak bluntly—even on those issues where there might be some daylight between the United States and our allies,” Earnest said.

Duterte has earlier said in a news briefing that he was open to discuss any issue with Obama.

“He can raise any topic at all. I’m ready to talk to him,” he said.

READ: Duterte: I am ready to talk to Obama

Asked if he was all right to discuss human rights issues in the Philippines, Duterte said Obama should listen to him first and understand the situation in the country before they could proceed and discuss the matter.

“It depends to what degree because they must understand the problem first before we talk about human rights. I would insist, listen to me. This is what the problem is. Then, we can talk about the UN (United Nations). No problem,” Duterte said.

The White House earlier said the issue on human rights was expected to be discussed by the two leaders. RAM/rga