MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has described Russian President Vladimir Putin as his “idol,” saying he shares some similarities with him.
When an Al Jazeera host showed Duterte a paper with the name “Vladimir Putin” in a recent interview, Duterte said “My idol.”
“He (Putin) has no illusions about himself. He knows that he was not trained for politics. Nor to be a statesman. He acts just like a president. My characterization of Putin is what I would describe myself," he added.
Duterte, who has been at odds with the United States over his anti-drug war, had said that he admires Putin and that he was looking forward to meeting him.
“I like Putin… We have similarities,” the president told reporters in a chance interview last August.
When asked about his similarities with the Russian leader, Duterte replied in jest: “Perhaps when it comes to girls.”
The Philippines has been veering towards Russia and China and has had an uneasy relationship with the United States since Duterte assumed the presidency last July.
Duterte has been assailing the US for supposedly interfering with his brutal narcotics crackdown, which has so far left more than 3,000 drug suspects dead.
Duterte had said that he does not care if the US, which has raised concerns over the spate of killings linked to the anti-drug war, pulls out its aid to the Philippines because he can always seek help from Russia or China.
Asked by Al Jazeera about his thoughts on the Philippines’ alliance with the US, Duterte replied: “It is good. It has been there since 1951. But I’m changing course.”
When he was shown a paper with the words “America,” Duterte said: “Having my doubts.”
Last month, Duterte said he was “separating” from the US in terms of economy and security but later on clarified that he is not severing ties with the superpower. Officials said the president was just emphasizing the need for the Philippines to be more independent from the US and to seek closer ties with other countries.
The tough-talking Duterte did not take sides when he was asked about the US presidential candidates.
When shown a paper with the words “Hillary Clinton,” the Philippine leader said:
“She’ll make a good president.”
When the Al Jazeera host flashed a paper with the name of Republican nominee Donald Trump, Duterte said: “A good candidate.”