MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte wished his “close friend” US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania a quick recovery after testing positive for the coronavirus, Malacañang said Monday.
In an online briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque touted the friendship of the two leaders.
“Alam niyo po, malapit na magkaibigan ang ating Presidente at si President Trump. At ang mensahe po ng ating Presidente, he wishes President Trump and his wife first lady Melania a full and speedy recovery,” Roque said.
(President Trump is a close friend of our President. And his message is that he wishes President Trump and his wife first lady Melania a full and speedy recovery.)
Trump himself announced via Twitter that he and his wife had contracted COVID-19.
The US President was admitted to the Walter Reed military medical center and is being treated for the coronavirus.
Trump’s doctors said he could be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday.
In April, Duterte and Trump had a telephone conversation to discuss possible bilateral cooperation over the pandemic.
Duterte also previously said he will not curse at Trump whom he described as “nice.”