Manila — US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson brushed aside questions about the Philippines’ deadly drug war on Monday, as he received a warm welcome from President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte’s administration has launched a brutal crackdown on drugs that has claimed thousands of lives and led to warnings by rights groups that he may be overseeing a crime against humanity. The US fears that offending its long-time ally could push it into the arms of China and it is backing Philippine troops as they battle to recapture part of a southern region occupied by militants aligned to the Islamic State group. When Duterte welcomed Tillerson to his palace on Monday, the pair ignored reporters’ questions about human rights and afterwards, the Philippine leader insisted the topic had not come up at the talks. Tillerson described the crisis in the southern Philippine city of Marawi as a "tragic situation" and said US forces were providing surveillance aircraft and important advice for the Philippine...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.