Trump has a great relationship with Duterte

manila - US President Donald Trump said Monday had a 'great relationship' with his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte. He commented just before the two controversial leaders met in the margin of an Asian summit.

Their meeting takes place during the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which begins on Monday. Manila is the last destination on the Asia trip of Trump who brought him to Japan, South Korea and China. He returns to the US on Tuesday.

Human rights groups urged Trump to settle hard against Duterte because of its bloody war against drugs, with thousands of people killed.

Duterte, who gave up high about Trump, said last week that he would 'send away' him as Trump decided to address the issue of alleged human rights violations.