MANILA, Philippines – The “coldness” in the United States is stopping President Rodrigo Duterte to visit Washington even after the return of the Balangiga Bells, Malacañang said Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENTForeign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. had earlier said Mr. Duterte would never visit the US until the historic Balangiga Bells are returned to the Philippines. READ: Locsin: Duterte won’t visit US until Balangiga bells returnedThe Balangiga Bells were finally returned to the Philippines on Tuesday, 117 years after it was seized by American soldiers as war trophies. His relationship with Washington, however, improved after Mr. Donald Trump, whom he considers his “good friend,” assumed the US presidency. Duterte has time and again said he would never visit US again, even claiming at one time his hectic schedule was stopping him from visiting America.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 12, 2018 05:48 UTC