President Obama's Meeting With Philippine President Canceled After Insult
Duterte does not want to be questioned about killings in his war on drugs.
— -- After the president of the Philippines warned President Obama not to question him on extrajudicial killings or "son of a b---- I will swear at you,” the White House says that a meeting between the leaders has been called off.
Earlier today in China, Obama called Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte "a colorful guy" when asked about the comments in a press conference.
"President Obama will not be holding a bilateral meeting with President Duterte of the Philippines this afternoon," National Security Council Spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. "Instead, he will meet with President Park of the Republic of Korea this afternoon."
Earlier, President Obama said: "If and when we have a meeting, this is something that's going to be brought up." He added that he would certainly address the need to approach the drug trafficking war in a "way that is consistent with basic international norms."
Duterte made the statement regarding his upcoming meeting with Obama after a reporter questioned how he would explain the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines' drug war if the U.S. President brings up the topic.