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Duterte imitates Trump, praises US leader for being 'pragmatic'

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/03/20/032017_du30.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Donald Trump.</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>President Rodrigo Duterte offered his praise for Donald Trump in front of a Filipino community in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, arguing that the US president is a &quot;pragmatic thinker&quot; whose blunt style in dealing with the media and critics is similar to his. </p><p>In his speech, Duterte reasoned that Trump is smarter than people give him credit for, citing the American leader&#x27;s business empire. </p><p>&quot;Alam ninyo, Trump is a realist (and) a pragmatic thinker,&quot; said Duterte, who, like Trump, rose to power as a populist leader. &quot;Nakita mo iyong building niya? Paano ka maging bobo?&quot;</p><p>He also compared their way in answering criticism, describing their unorthodox methods as &quot;deliberate.&quot;</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1455018" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><p>In his first months as the US president, Trump has drawn heat for decisions such as pushing for a ban on Muslim immigrants and for ordering the launch of dozens of Tomahawk missiles at Syria. </p><p>Duterte, on the other hand, continues to earn the ire of human rights groups for his war on illegal drugs, in which thousands have died. </p><p>Still speaking with the Filipino community in Qatar, the last leg in a weeklong series of states visits in the Middle East, Duterte reiterated that Trump approves of his controversial crackdown on illegal drugs. </p><p>Putting on an American accent in trying to imitate Trump, Duterte said the US president told him that he is doing things &quot;right.&quot; </p>

<p>President Rodrigo Duterte offered his praise for Donald Trump in front of a Filipino community in Qatar on Saturday.</p>

President Rodrigo Duterte offered his praise for Donald Trump in front of a Filipino community in Qatar on Saturday.