Trump laughed when Rodrigo Duterte called the media 'spies.' Not good
(CNN) Before their bilateral meeting in Manila on Monday, President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte posed for pictures. Reporters were late for what is known as the "pool spray" because, according to the pool report of the meeting, they were held up by security.
When they finally got into the room, reporters asked questions of the two leaders regarding Duterte's controversial human rights record and whether Trump would raise it with him. Here's what happened next:
Duterte: "We will be discussing matters that are of interest to both the Philippines and ... with you around, guys, you are the spies."
"Hah, hah, hah," Trump said laughing.
"You are," Duterte repeated.
Um, what?
Even after his meeting with Duterte, Trump -- in an open session of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting -- seemed entirely unfazed by his colleague's view on the press. He thanked Duterte "very much for the way you treated all of us."
"Thank you," Duterte responded. "This signifies the end of our open session. I would like to request media to leave us alone." He quickly added: "You may leave the room."
It's also worth noting that the Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries in the world in which to be a journalist. Since 1992, 78 journalists have been killed in the Philippines, the third highest total in the world -- behind only Iraq (186) and Syria (114), according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
None of that is a laughing matter. Not even close.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2017/11/13/politics/trump-duterte-press/index.html
