Duterte needs advice on diplomacy, ex-envoy to UN says

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte needs advice on the “art of diplomacy,” after his fiery rhetoric led to the cancellation of a meeting with US President Barack Obama, the Philippines' former envoy to the United Nations (UN) said Tuesday.

The US snub, however, is a “mere blip” in the long-standing ties between the two treaty allies. Manila can seek to reschedule the meeting, but if Washington refuses, it should “move on,” former ambassador Lauro Baja said.

“I think the President should be advised on the art of diplomacy and the implications of the strategic importance of approaches to the intricacies of international relations,” Baja told ANC.

“The onus is on his advisers,” he added.

Duterte’s toned-down rhetoric just hours after threatening to curse at Obama if he brings up his bloody war on drugs during their meeting is “too late,” Baja said.

“It’s unfortunate. Meetings between heads of state is the highest from of diplomacy that’s an opportunity missed,” he said.

Over 2,000 drug suspects have been killed since Duterte assume office on June 30 according to police data, and the mounting deaths have alarmed local and international human rights monitors.

source:abscbnnews