Trump arrives in Philippines, his last stop on Asia tour
MANILA, Philippines -- President Donald Trump arrived in the Philippines Sunday to attend a pair of international summits and close his five-country tour of Asia.
Mr. Trump is slated to meet several times with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has come under intense criticism from human rights advocates for overseeing a violent drug crackdown that includes extrajudicial killings.
Mr. Trump has previously praised Duterte's handling of his nation's drug problems.
Mr. Trump was originally scheduled to depart Manila on Monday, but he added a day to the visit so he could more fully participate in one of the summits.
"Just landed in the Philippines after a great day of meetings and events in Hanoi, Vietnam!" Mr. Trump tweeted on Sunday.
Just landed in the Philippines after a great day of meetings and events in Hanoi, Vietnam! pic.twitter.com/YxHRNhhPWo
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017
He also thanked the president of Vietnam, saying, "We had a wonderful visit" to the country.
We had a wonderful visit to Vietnam, thank you President Tran Dai Quang! Heading to the #ASEANSummit 50th Anniv Gala in the Philippines now. pic.twitter.com/WfSd8EE3Nm
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017
Hours earlier, Mr. Trump unleashed a flurry of tweets -- several of them about Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.
Putin and Mr. Trump met briefly on the sidelines at the APEC Summit in Vietnam. Mr. Trump reportedly questioned Putin several times about Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election -- an allegation Putin denied.
Mr. Trump said he believes Putin, but he also said he is "with our agencies," which have concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election.
After arriving in the Philippines Sunday, Mr. Trump attended a gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Philippine President Duterte greeted Mr. Trump and other leaders one by one as they arrived at a convention center in Manila for the glitzy event.
Mr. Trump and Duterte shook hands twice and exchanged pleasantries before the leaders posed for a group photo and everyone filed into dinner.
Mr. Trump joined his fellow leaders in wearing Philippine formal attire -- the Barong Tagalog, or long-sleeved white shirt.
Mr. Trump and Duterte will hold more formal talks on Monday.