Trump says Philippines “most strategic location” for military

November 14, 2017

United States President Donald Trump underscored on Tuesday the importance of getting along with the Philippines after a "horrible" relationship of the two countries during the Obama administration.

In his remarks after the family photo before the 12th East Asia Summit, Trump said the Philippines is the "most strategic location" for military purposes.

"And if you look at it, it's called the most price piece of real estate from the military standpoint. So it’s very important that we get along with the Philippines and we really do. We have a good, very good relationship. I would actually say, probably, better than ever before," Trump said.

The Philippines used to host US military bases, which were closed in 1992.

Trump noted that the US was having "a lot of problems" with the Philippines.

"The relationship with the past administration was horrible," Trump said.

During the early months of his administration, Duterte uttered expletives against then US President Barack Obama after the latter raised concern over the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines due to war on drugs.

Duterte even said the Philippines would distance from the US in term of military and economy.

But when Trump assumed office, the two leaders apparently got along well. Celerina Monte/DMS