

MANILA - Washington's top diplomat likened President Rodrigo Duterte to US President Donald Trump when they held talks Thursday night, a Malacañang official said Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the remark while Duterte was sharing stories of the controversies he is facing as a leader.

"I remember when the President (Duterte) was talking about what he is doing for this country pati 'yung mga kotrobersya niya (the controversies he is dealing with), 'yung cursing niya (his cursing), the secretary of the state (Pompeo) said 'You're just like our president!' Nagtawanan kami eh (We all laughed)," Panelo said during a Palace press briefing.

Duterte met with Pompeo on Thursday night at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City and discussed the 2 nations' cooperation on bilateral and regional security issues according to the US Embassy in Manila.

Several analysts have drawn supposed similarities between Duterte and Trump, with Duterte being called the "Filipino Trump,” and Trump the “American Duterte."

The two leaders have made international headlines with their off-the-cuff remarks and unconventional style of leadership.