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Duterte: Trump supports the Philippines' drug war
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expressed support for the Philippines' anti-illegal drugs campaign, President Rodrigo Duterte said.
Duterte called Trump Friday night and he said they talked about a lot of things, including the country's drug problem.
"I could sense a good rapport, an animated President-elect Trump. And he was wishing me success in my campaign against the drug problem," Duterte said about their phone interview, in a statement released by Malacañang Saturday.
"He understood the way we are handling it and I said that there's nothing wrong in protecting a country," Duterte added.
Trump is wishing the country well, Duterte said.
The country's bloody war on drugs received criticism from world leaders, including outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama. Duterte, who is known for his tough talk, at one point told Obama "go to hell" after Obama expressed concern over alleged human rights violations in the country's drug war.
Police data show over 2,000 suspects were killed in anti-drug operations from July 1 to December 3. 2016.
But Duterte stressed Trump believes the country's anti-drugs campaign is being done "the right way."
"I appreciate the response that I got from President-elect Trump and I would like to wish him success," Duterte said.
Duterte earlier hit U.S. on the issue of human rights, announced "separation" from the Philippines' decades-old ally, and declared he wants foreign troops out of the country.
But during his phone call with Trump, Duterte assured the new U.S. president of the Philippines' ties with America.
Duterte also invited Trump to the Philippines for the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, which the Philippines will host.
"He will try his best to be here. He wants to attend the Summit and that would be great for our country," Duterte said, quoting the incoming U.S. president.
He said Trump also invited him to New York and Washington.
Social and political analysts have said Duterte and Trump will get along.