President Rodrigo Duterte and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump composite

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he trusts U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's judgment, particularly on matters relating to immigration.

With the Republican candidate pulling off a surprise victory against U.S. President Barack Obama’s candidate, Hillary Clinton, Duterte said things might turn for the better between the two Pacific allies.

Duterte said he respects Trump’s views on immigration and he hopes the incoming U.S. president will be fair to illegal immigrants.

“I trust in his judgment and that he would be fair [on] the matter of the treatment of illegal immigrants,’ Duterte said.

“I cannot talk for the illegals because… an illegal is always illegal so he is subject at any time for deportation.”

After winning the election, Trump said he will keep his vow to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the United States. The controversial Republican bet has made it his key platform to rid the U.S. of illegal immigrants who he says bring trouble and weaken the economy.

Duterte, meanwhile, also said he and Trump might hit it off, considering that the latter has not criticized his war on drugs.

“I’m sure. Wala man kaming away. (We have no quarrel). I can always be a friend to anybody,” Duterte said during a dinner with reporters at the Malacañang.

“Hindi naman ako sinasaway sa kampanya about my human rights,” Duterte said.

He had lashed out at outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama for criticizing his campaign against drugs.

Furious over Washington’s criticism, Dutete told Obama to “go to hell” and announced his “separation” with the U.S. during a state visit in China.