Pubdate: Tue, 02 Aug 2016
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2016
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Authors: Christina Mendez and Delon Porcalla

KERRY TALKS HUMAN RIGHTS, RODY TACKLES MILITARY AID

Military assistance to the Philippines dominated the discussions 
between President Duterte and visiting US Secretary of State John 
Kerry, with the latter cutting short his message of concern about 
human rights  at the President's behest.

Speaking before members of the Presidential Security Group at 
Malacanang Park Sunday evening, Duterte related how he told Kerry 
during their meeting last week  to shift to another topic  the 
$32-million US military assistance to the country.

"I have a job to do, let us go to another topic," he recalled having 
told Kerry. "The money? Oh 32, 'Ah, I give you, $32 million'," he 
quoted the US official as saying in response.

At this juncture, Duterte said he asked Defense Secretary Delfin 
Lorenzana to come up with a wish list for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"So I asked Delfin Lorenzana, 'what's your priority?' We did a god 
job in Sulu; I'm impressed. So buy more," he said, referring to the 
military operations in Mindanao and the need to buy more weapons for the AFP.

Last week, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the President 
"was listening very intently" when Kerry was commenting on Duterte's 
anti-crime and anti-drug campaign.

Abella said Duterte had also briefed Kerry about his crackdown on 
drugs and crime.

Asked if Kerry, who emphasized the need to uphold human rights in his 
previous engagements, was alarmed by the spate of killings in the 
country, Abella said: "There was no alarm that was mentioned there."

"Although President Duterte did mention about the way he has been 
handling the war against crime and especially the narcotics plague," he added.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom