Trump On Duterte: President-Elect Endorses Philippine Leader’s War On Drugs, Manila Says

Controversial Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte -- who insulted President Barack Obama and other world leaders, including the pope -- may soon visit the White House.

President-elect Donald Trump invited the 70-year-old leader for a visit next year during a “very engaging, animated” phone conversation, Duterte’s aide said Friday. Christopher Go, Duterte's special adviser, said the call lasted just over seven minutes. The call comes at a time when the Philippines’ foreign policy is shifting more towards Beijing and Moscow and away from Washington.

The Trump team reportedly said the two leaders, during the call Friday evening, “noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments would continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern.”

The team, however, did not mention the invitation.

Trump also wished his Philippine counterpart “success” in his controversial war on drugs that led to at least 2,300 deaths since June, 2016.

“He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs. And he wishes me well... in my campaign and he said that... we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way,” Duterte reportedly said.

Duterte’s war on drugs has been criticized by several world leaders, including Obama and international organizations like the United Nations. The 70-year-old leader, who is referred to as the Trump of the East, had rejected the comparison.

“He [Trump] is a bigot and I am not,” Duterte said.

During his election campaign, Trump said Duterte’s inflammatory comments indicated “a lack of respect for our country” but later emphasized on the “very important strategic location” of the Philippines. Trump also blamed Obama for not getting to know other leaders.