US State Department's Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Sung Kim answers questions at a briefing after a meeting with Kenji Kanasugi, Director-General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Japan's Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on September 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI Washington will pursue a second meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Donald Trump this time in the United States, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said.

“As you know, President Trump has already invited President Duterte to visit Washington but obviously there had been lots of important developments here in the Philippines and I think it’s a question of scheduling as to when President Duterte would make a visit to the US,” he said during the US Independence Day rites at the US Embassy.

“I think there is strong interest in both sides in facilitating the visit to Washington so we’ll continue to work at it,” he added.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo himself relayed hopes for the two leaders’ meeting when he met Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano last June 22.

Trump and Duterte met in Manila on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit last November. During the meeting, the two discussed issues on drug menace, terrorism and trade issues.

Kim said the two leaders have forged a “very strong relationship.”

“The two gentlemen have shared much in common, including on the importance of rule of law even as the Philippines continues to pursue the serious challenge of illegal drugs in the Philippines,” he said.

“We understand that the drug issue is a huge challenge to the Philippines, we understand that President Duterte is so focused on that big problem and we will continue to work with the Philippine government,” Kim added.

US has been providing Manila support in areas such as demand reduction and drug rehabilitation efforts.

Among other things, US has also established law enforcement cooperation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies.

“I think our robust law enforcement cooperation will continue and it is important both sides agree on the importance of rule of law and respect for human rights as we proceed with efforts to deal with the drug problem,” Kim said.

Kim said there had been significant development on the Philippines-US relations.

He said both countries’ growing partnership in defeating terrorists in Marawi City to rebuilding it after its liberation in October 2017.

“We worked together to defeat the terrorist attack on Marawi City and now we’re supporting the government’s efforts to rebuild Marawi,” he said.

He added the economic partnership between the two countries continues to be “very strong.”

“We welcome the Philippines interest in doing a free trade agreement with US and of course President Trump had a wonderful visit to the Philippines in November, so I think the relationship is in great shape and I think the future of the relationship is very bright,” he added.