Duterte ‘always welcome’ to visit US – official

Photo from INDOPACOM Twitter

MANILA, Philippines — It appears that President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet made up his mind if he should visit the United States even after the the Balangiga Bells were returned to the Philippines early this week.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. earlier said that Duterte would only visit the US after the return of the historic bells, which were taken away by American forces as war booty more than a century ago.

The President’s possible visit to the US was brought up during his meeting with US officials, Ambassador Sung Kim, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Dr. Joseph Felter and Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Philip Davidson, last Tuesday a few hours after the bells were turned over to the Philippines.

“He’s aware of the invitation and we will always welcome a treaty ally like the Philippines. The invitation is there. The US has many friends in the Philippines. I personally think it would be great if President Duterte visited. We will do what we can to make it a good visit if he decides to take up on the invitation,” Felter told reporters on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump extended an invitation to Duterte during the Asean Summit in November 2017. /muf