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Philippine Leader Says He Won't Visit US, Adds 'It's Lousy'

by Associated Press

   MANILA, PHILIPPINES --

   Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he will never visit the
   United States while he is in office, and adds that he has "seen America
   and it's lousy."

   Duterte delivered his latest verbal attack on the United States after
   he was asked in a news conference Friday to react to an American
   lawmaker's threat to lead a protest if Duterte accepts President Donald
   Trump's invitation to visit the White House.

   Duterte asked, "What makes that guy think I'm going to America?"

   He added: "There will never be a time during my administration that
   I'll be going to America or thereafter. ... I've seen America and it's
   lousy."

   Duterte's spokesman said in April that Trump had invited the Philippine
   leader in a telephone call to visit the White House.